Toowoomba teen assaulted police after Clifford Garden stealing spree

A 19-year-old Toowoomba man pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer only weeks after he was placed on probation for a different violent crime.

Tyrell Miguel Tuitoga leaving the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer.

A Toowoomba court was told a police officer who responded to reports of a stealing spree at Clifford Gardens Shopping Center was assaulted when one of the thieves was arrested.

Police prosecutor Anita Page told Toowoomba Magistrates Court Tyrell Miguel Tuitoga struck the policewoman in her chest with his elbow with such force that her body-worn camera broke and landed on the ground.

Ms Page said officers arrested Tuitoga on May 13 after items were stolen from Woolworths, Big W, and Terry White Chemist.

During the arrest, Ms Page said Tuitoga punched a fence multiple times, splitting open his knuckles.

Tyrell Miguel Tuitoga (centre) leaving the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer.

Acting duty lawyer, solicitor Nikola Prince told the court Tuitoga reacted badly because of an experience from his childhood, noting he later asked to apologise to the officer in the watch house.

Other than the childhood incident, Ms Prince said Tuitoga, one of five siblings, had an unremarkable upbringing, however he was illiterate and suffered from a number of mental health issues.

She also noted the soon to be 20-year-old began offending after his older brother was seriously injured in a crash.

In June, the court was told Tuitoga pleaded guilty to assault in company causing bodily harm.

Ms Prince noted the victim had been bullying Tuitoga’s younger brother.

Magistrate Kay Philipson told Tuitoga there may be underlying issues as to why he reacted violently, but he was not helping himself by doing so.

She told him he needed to start complying with his probation and parole orders, or else he would find himself in prison.

“You are an adult now, you need to act like one,” she said.

“If you’re just not going to turn up and continue to commit offences, well you won’t be getting more chances from me – do you understand?”

At Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June 27, Tuitoga pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, obstructing police, public nuisance, and three charges of unauthorised dealings with shop goods.

He was fined $650.