Rebecca Cunliffe in Noosa Magistrates Court on drug and driving charges

A “diminutive” woman who struggled with three male officers during a dramatic service station arrest has faced a Noosa court on drug and driving charges.

Rebecca Cunliffe outside the Noosa Magistrates Court on October 11, 2022.

A hospitality worker who police had to capsicum spray after she refused to give them a breath sample at a petrol station has pleaded guilty to several charges in a Noosa court.

Rebecca Cunliffe, 27, of Noosa Heads, faced the Noosa Magistrates Court on October 13, 2022 charged with six offences including failing to provide a specimen, obstructing police, driving while under the influence, possessing utensils or pipes and possessing property suspected of having been used in a drug offence.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist fined her more than $1800 and disqualified her licence for 18 months.

Police prosecutor Michael Ruddiman said Cunliffe was at a petrol station on Eumundi-Noosa Rd on July 26, 2022, when police pulled up to perform a random drug and alcohol test on her.

The sergeant said police asked Cunliffe for a sample on several occasions and she refused and became argumentative.

Rebecca Cunliffe outside the Noosa Magistrates Court on October 11, 2022.

The police prosecutor said officers gave her a final warning and then leaned into the vehicle to undo her seatbelt to remove her from the car and she violently resisted.

“Three male police officers struggled to restrain the defendant who was a lot smaller than the officers,” Sergeant Ruddiman said.

“She displayed a large amount of strength for a diminutive female.”

The sergeant said officers also had to use capsicum spray.

Sergeant Ruddiman said when police officers searched the vehicle they also found clip-seal bags and a glass pipe.

Solicitor Anna Smith said police officers poured buckets of water over Cunliffe’s head and she also ended up with significant bruising following the altercation.

The solicitor said it was a timely plea of guilty.

“In terms of the obstruct police, it was very out of character for her and that is reflected in the facts,” Ms Smith said.

The solicitor said the defendant had worked in hospitality for eight years and was also a part-time hairdresser.

Ms Smith said Cunliffe had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and had a support network.

The police prosecutor said earlier in the year, on April 29, the defendant was also pulled over by police in Tewantin and given a roadside drug test.

She was charged with drug-driving.

For the April 29, 2022 offence, Mr Stjernqvist disqualified Cunliffe’s licence for six months and fined her $400.

A conviction was recorded.

For the obstruct police, possess utensils and possess property offences, Cunliffe was given 40 hours of community service and a $450 fine.

Convictions were not recorded.

Cunliffe was fined $1000 for the driving under the influence and fail to provide offences and was also disqualified from driving for a year and had a conviction recorded for the driving under the influence charge.

Originally published as Rebecca Cunliffe in Noosa Magistrates Court on drug and driving charges