Sarah Marie Snell sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court after clawing at police officer on Ring Road

A woman who was running ‘erratically’ at cars on a North Queensland highway wound up breaking the skin and drawing blood of a police officer who attempted to protect her from being hit by vehicles.

Sarah Marie Snell sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court after clawing at police officer on Ring Road

A woman was described as being “sweaty and delusional” when police officers arrived after they received reports she had been running at cars on a North Queensland highway, before attacking a police officer.

Sarah Marie Snell appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court this week after she assaulted an officer who was attempting to protect her from being hit by vehicles while running around in a 100km per hour zone.

Police prosecutor Mark Fenlon said on September 13 last year at 10:30pm police arrived to the Ring Road in Townsville where they attempted to speak with the 22-year-old who had been running “erratically” at cars.

“Police conversed with her and she was sweating profusely, had dilated pupils and was delusional, seemingly affected by methamphetamine,” he said.

The court was told police attempted to transport the childcare worker to hospital for an emergency examination however she fought against it.

“She refused to get in the pod, tensed up, clawed and grabbed at (the police officer) on his right forearm with her nails breaking the skin causing bleeding through a long-sleeved police shirt,” Mr Fenlon described.

He said after being transported to hospital the woman continued to yell at workers and told staff she hoped they would get Covid.

Police conducted a search of the woman’s home where they found an unlawful knife, a loaded syringe with one milligram of methamphetamine and a red straw with crystalized residue.

“Police don’t deserve to be treated like this especially when dealing with people who are drug affected, who they’re trying to help and make sure they don’t get run over,” Mr Fenlon told the court.

The woman while listening to the details broke down in tears, with her mother supporting her at the back of the courtroom.

Defence lawyer Phil Rennick said his client held strong employment over the years as a childcare worker and suggested the offences were “out of character” due to never being charged with similar offences.

“This is a young girl who was in a toxic relationship where drug use happened on a regular basis,” he said.

Magistrate Susan Warrington warned the woman her behavior was “very dangerous conduct”.

“Police attended for your own safety and you started clawing and grabbing at his forearm,” she said.

In sentencing, Ms Warrington acknowledged her lack of criminal history and pointed out the support she had from her mother as well as medical assistance she had been receiving for her mental health after the offences.

Snell pleaded guilty to assaulting police in public while adversely affected, obstructing police, public nuisance, possessing drugs, possessing a weapon, possessing used utensils, failing to take reasonable care in respect to a syringe and failing to appear in accordance with undertaking.

She was sentenced to 80 hours of community service to be completed in 12 months. No convictions were recorded, as Ms Warrington advised it would impact her ability to withhold a Blue Card.

Originally published as Sarah Marie Snell sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court after clawing at police officer on Ring Road