Police kept busy

A POLICE officer was struck in the head by a Bluetooth speaker during an incident involving two women in Mareeba earlier this month.

Around 7.30pm on 11 March, officers observed what appeared to be a disturbance in the refuge island area of Byrnes Street. Officers observed a 19-year-old Mareeba woman running across the road chasing another woman.

Officers spoke with the woman and advised her she was under arrest for public nuisance. During the arrest she became agitated and non-compliant, and the group with her began abusing and threatening officers.

While placing the 19-year-old woman into the police vehicle, a 16-year-old Mareeba girl allegedly threw a Bluetooth speaker, striking one officer in the back of the head.

In another incident on the same day, a 38-year-old Papua New Guinea man was charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm domestic violence offence, choking suffocation strangulation domestic relationship, and unlawful stalking.

The incident occurred when a man and a woman were drinking with family members at address in Alice Street, Atherton when the 38-year-old allegedly became jealous of her talking to family members. Police were called to the property around 10.30pm.

It will be alleged the man approached the woman who was visiting the address and started to swear at her. It will be further alleged he attended her home address uninvited on several occasions and she received a large volume of unwanted phone calls.

to continue their recovery journey after they leave the residential rehabilitation setting.

“Unfortunately, there is a critical shortage of residential rehabilitation facilities in regional Australia, which is why we are opening Djindigal,” Ms Callister said.

“The recovery program is broad and encompasses many aspects of life to give the resident the best chance with their fresh start.

“Everyone deserves the chance of a new beginning and no one should have to battle their addiction alone.

“There is a growing demand for such services, and we hope these service models can be expanded to other locations, including in rural, remote, and regional areas.”

The 19-year-old woman was charged with committing public nuisance, assaulting police and wilful damage. She is scheduled to appear at the Mareeba Magistrates Court on 27 March. The 16-yearold girl was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and is scheduled to appear at the Mareeba Children’s Court at a later date.

Meanwhile, police officers intercepted a 50-year-old Highgate Hill woman on Byrnes Street, Mareeba around 8.30pm on 11 March for failing to stop at a stop sign.

As a result of a breath test, she was transported to Mareeba Police Station for further testing. It will be alleged she returned a reading of 0.157 per cent BAC.

Witnesses to assault sought

POLICE want to talk to anyone who witnessed the assault of a woman in Cook Street, Atherton earlier this month.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which occurred in front of a car dealership around 7pm on Tuesday, 7 March.

The initial investigation suggests two women assaulted a third woman outside that location. The victim fell to the ground and was allegedly continually kicked by the other two women.

Police are seeking any motorist that may have dashcam footage that was travelling through that area to contact police and quote QP2300399183.