Nightclub basher faces jail sentence

A WOMAN who bashed a patron at a LGBQTIA+ nightclub after asking if she was a lesbian may face the prospect of jail time.

Tanya Maree Devine, 39, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to one count of common assault at Flamingos Dance Bar dating back to December 2019.

The court heard the victim was at the popular alternative club on a Saturday night and had been dancing with colleagues.

The woman was sitting down when Devine confronted her and asked: “Are you a lesbian?”

The woman said she wasn’t, and Devine punched her to the head and continued hitting her after she fell to the ground.

Devine was removed from the venue and the victim went to the bathroom.

On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason heard the incident had been captured on CCTV footage.

About three months after the assault, Devine attended the Glenorchy police station voluntarily, telling officers the attack had been caused by her intoxication levels.

The New Norfolk resident said it was the first time she had been out in years.

She described her level of intoxication on the night in question as an eight of out 10.

Devine said she didn’t know the victim and couldn’t recall asking her if she was a lesbian.

The victim ended up with a black eye and grazing on her forehead, along with scratches to her nose and bruising to her hairline.

“Potentially this is (punishable by) a term of imprisonment but I’d prefer to assess your suitability for home detention,” Ms Geason said.

Flamingos closed in October last year after 12 years operating in Liverpool Street, after the building that housed it was sold. Flamingos is holding events at High Altar in Murray Street.

Devine, who is on bail, will return to court on February 22.