Woman Found Guilty of Assaulting Police Officer In Heated Custody Dispute
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Alric Lindsay
Today, May 27, 2026, a woman was found guilty of assaulting a police officer following an incident last year, while being acquitted of a common assault charge. The ruling came after a Summary Court hearing detailing an encounter stemming from a domestic dispute over her son.
Reportedly, the incident occurred in May 2025. Police officers were dispatched to the address after the woman made a 911 call, seeking assistance to retrieve her son from his father, who was at his partner’s residence.
Upon arrival at the scene, a police officer reportedly approached the door to conduct a welfare check. The situation became heated, with the woman becoming emotionally distressed and attempting to reach over to retrieve her son.
Regarding the charge of common assault, the Chief Magistrate found the woman not guilty, accepting that any contact made was not intentional and occurred “in the heat of the moment.”
However, the Chief Magistrate found her guilty of assaulting a police officer. The Chief Magistrate court accepted Officer Carmola’s testimony that she was acting within her duty to prevent a breach of the peace. Evidence showed the woman pushed Officer Carmola on the left shoulder, as specified in the charge particulars.
The defence counsel’s argument of self-defence was rejected. The Chief Magistrate acknowledged the woman’s statement, but underscored that police officers have the authority to use necessary force in volatile situations to maintain order. While the Chief Magistrate recognized the assault was a result of high emotional distress, it was still deemed a criminal act.
A Pre-Sentence Report was ordered to assist the court in determining an appropriate sentence. The woman is scheduled to return for her sentencing hearing in July.
