A WEDDING attendee who had to be evicted from the reception following an altercation with another guest has appeared before the Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court.
Jenelle Lee Taylor wiped away tears as she relived the event which took place at a Swan Hill resort on February 25.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable John Lyons said Taylor had been a guest at the wedding when she became involved in an argument with other patrons around 11.30pm.
During the incident she pushed 10 cups and saucers from a coffee trolley, causing them to break.
She also pushed a restaurant staff member in the back causing them to stumble.
Another guest had to take the accused outside where he sat her down at the front entrance of the venue in an attempt to calm her down.
However, LSC Lyons said outside, her aggressive behaviour continued and at one stage she “bit hard into the male patron’s upper chest”.
After this incident, Taylor was taken to the ground and restrained until police arrived.
Once they arrived, Taylor continued to be verbally aggressive and argumentative.
She used her fingernails to dig into a police officer who later required first aid.
Once in the back of the police van, an intoxicated Taylor continued screaming and swearing loudly.
She remained verbally aggressive once in custody, hitting and kicking the cell before vomiting in the cell and over herself.
Marcus Williams, for the defence, said the behaviour was out of character for the 41-year-old, noting her judgement was significantly impaired on the night in question.
“She is most deeply embarrassed by the court appearance,” Williams said.
Hearing the details, Magistrate William Gibb said on a scale of one to 10, Taylor’s behaviour was somewhere between an eight and 10.
“Clearly police shouldn’t have to deal with this behaviour,” he said.
“You’re a 41-year-old woman, not a 16 or 17 year-old. Your behaviour can only be described as shameful and disgraceful.”
The matter was adjourned overnight so that Taylor could be assessed for a community corrections order.
Reappearing in court on Thursday, Taylor was placed on a 12 month community corrections order which included 50 hours of unpaid community service.
