Spitting at guard rock bottom for woman

CASSANDRA Gillman had hit “rock bottom” when she spat in the face of a 70-year-old security guard.

The chef and business owner had entered a Cairns shop on September 27 last year wearing a bikini and shawl when the guard asked her to leave because of her outfit and lack of shoes.

Gillman, then 29, lashed out and spat at the guard.

The incident followed an altercation with police earlier that month when she fought against the officers and tried to prevent them from questioning her companion.

Gillman, 30, pleaded guilty yesterday to the serious assault of a person aged over 60, assaulting and obstructing police.

Defending barrister James Sheridan said his client was ashamed and wanted to apologise for her actions.

“She had hit rock bottom,” Mr Sheridan said.

“Her sense of pride had been so eroded that to be told she could not be in the shopping centre caused her to lash out in a manner she is thoroughly ashamed about,” Mr Sheridan said.

Mr Sheridan told the court that while in custody in Townsville she became determined to rehabilitate herself, and had arranged work on a drug and alcohol-free prawn trawler for four months.

Judge Dean Morzone QC described Gillman as “an otherwise intelligent and capable woman,” who had “assaulted a security guard doing the best he could in the later stages of his life.”

He ordered Gillman serve a five-month suspended prison term – including 22 days presentence custody – and a 12month probation bond.