A WOMAN who grabbed a police officer’s stun gun in Pioneer during a riot involving 300 people escaped conviction in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on Monday.
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Dakota Kelsy Jane Major, 19, struggled to take the stun gun from a police officer arresting her for public nuisance in Abel Smith Parade at 4.30am, March 28.
But the defendant’s legal representative said she was not part of the riot.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Heather Whiting said Major head-butted a police officer in the throat and jaw when handcuffed after grabbing for the stun gun.
She was found with a flick knife after searched by police and afterwards gave a false name.
Sergeant Whiting said the struggle happened during a highly publicised riot in Gardner Street and the nearby area, in which 300 intoxicated people caused a disturbance.
Multiple emergency phone calls were made by residents.
“Police tactically withdrew, waiting for additional resources to arrive,” Sergeant Whiting said.
“This is the first time in (at least) three and a half years police were called to duty to maintain safety of officers and people.”
Major pleaded guilty to five charges; two counts of serious assault, obstructing a police officer, public nuisance, ignoring directions given by police, and having a knife in a public place.
Magistrate Stephen Guttridge took into account the three days Major spent in custody when ordering her to perform 50 hours community service within a year. No criminal conviction was recorded but the knife was forfeited.
Solicitor from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, Tim Carberry, said his Townsville based defendant had no criminal history.
“She was not part – on my instructions – of the 300 strong group but she was in the area walking around the area with friends,” Mr Carberry said.
“A large group of people came out of Gardner Street fighting among themselves.”
Major accused attending police officers of harassment and asked them for their names.
They refused to give them which was why she gave a false name.
Major had a negative blood alcohol reading, Mr Carberry noted.