Mum’s brawl charge

A CHRISTMAS drive allegedly turned into a violent terror ride when a vehicle’s front seat passenger attacked the driver.

The passenger, Tanya Tranter, 38, appeared from custody in Cairns Magistrates Court on Boxing Day charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, strangulation and dangerous driving.

The mother-of-two has not entered a plea to any of the charges.

Police have alleged the two women fought on Christmas as they drove on the Captain Cook Highway in Smithfield.

Dan Rigden, defending, argued that his client acted in self defence as an argument between the two women erupted during the outing.

“The victim in fact struck the defendant first and was driving dangerously from the outset,” Mr Rigden said.

He told the court that Ms Tranter “engaged the victim to prevent her from assaulting her further”.

As the car continued on the highway, police allege the defendant took hold of the Trinity Beach woman’s head.

“The respondent grabbed the aggrieved’s hair and began to swing her head back and forth,” acting Magistrate Raimund Heggie said, reading the alleged police account.

Mr Rigden told the court Ms Tranter would go to trial and argue self defence.

“The reason she had her in a headlock was to prevent further assault,” he said.

Sergeant Amy Rennie, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had a prior history of violence and had a NSW conviction for assault occasioning bodily harm, for which she has served probation in 2017.

“There are prominent injuries and a statement that support the crown case,” Sgt Rennie said.

“There was bleeding from the complainant’s mouth and swelling on the head.”

She told the court medical records supporting the Crown case would be delayed and asked for a seven-week adjournment.

Acting Magistrate Heggie said the case contained “mitigating issues” and released Ms Tranter on bail.

She was ordered to reappear in court for mention on February 19.