A Townsville mother has narrowly avoided time behind bars after a violent confrontation with police, during which she delivered a donkey-kick to an officer's groin.
Violent Altercation During Arrest Attempt
The incident unfolded on the evening of October 29, 2022, when police were called to a disturbance at a residence in Kirwan. Officers attempted to speak with Shakira Lacey, then 28 years old, regarding an unrelated matter. The situation quickly escalated when Lacey became aggressive and resisted arrest.
Body-worn camera footage presented to the Townsville Magistrates Court showed the moment Lacey, while being restrained on the ground by two officers, lashed out with her legs. In a deliberate motion, she struck Senior Constable Ben Owens in the genitals with what the prosecution described as a "donkey-kick". The court heard the officer was wearing a protective vest at the time, which likely mitigated the severity of the injury.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing Outcome
Lacey pleaded guilty to one count of seriously assaulting a police officer. During sentencing, Magistrate Steven Mosch considered several factors. He noted Lacey's early guilty plea and her lack of any relevant prior criminal history. The court also heard that Lacey was the primary carer for her young child and had been dealing with significant personal issues at the time of the offence.
Despite the serious nature of assaulting a frontline officer, Magistrate Mosch decided against imposing an immediate custodial sentence. Instead, he handed down a six-month prison sentence, wholly suspended for 12 months. This means Lacey will serve no jail time unless she commits another offence within the next year.
Community and Legal Repercussions
The decision highlights the complex considerations magistrates must balance between punishment, deterrence, and an offender's personal circumstances. The assault on Senior Constable Owens was acknowledged as a serious breach of public order and an attack on those tasked with community safety.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Lacey was ordered to pay $500 in compensation to the assaulted officer. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks police officers face daily and the legal consequences for those who choose to violently resist lawful arrest, even if immediate imprisonment is not always the final result.
