Trio in court on assault
A DISPUTE between two teenagers escalated into a wild melee on the front yard of a Toowoomba home, with three adults facing court for their involvement in instigating and taking part in the fracas.
Annissa Simone Prince, 27, her sister Tahliah Prince, 29, and Daniel-Wayne Harrison, 27, faced Toowoomba District Court on Friday where they pleaded guilty to two charges of assault occasioning bodily harm while in company and common assault, while Harrison also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of entering a dwelling with intent while armed in company and causing damage.
The court was told the matter was essentially a family dispute which began when Annissa reprimanded a 15year-old for his behaviour with another teen at her family home on September 13, 2020.
Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie said members of the 15-year-old’s family then went to Annissa’s home and assaulted her on the front yard, which was witnessed by her three young children.
After the assault the group left, and there were threats of further violence, with Annissa contacting her then-partner Harrison, who was in Inala, and told him what had happened.
The court was told he made his way to Toowoomba with two car loads of people, including Annissa and her sister Tahliah, and went to the home of the 15-year-old’s family.
While armed Harrison kicked in the door of the home and a wild brawl resulted with multiple people injured in an example of “vigilante justice” Ms Petrie said.
The court was told Annissa and Harrison had four children together, and Tahliah was a mother of four.
Mr Harrison’s barrister Frank Martin told the court his involvement was a result of what had happened to his then partner, while Annissa’s barrister Jessica Goldie said her client suffered serious injuries as a result of the assault earlier that day on her.
Judge Michael Byrne accepted the conduct was a result of the earlier assault and sentenced Annissa and Tahliah to 18 months probation, with no convictions recorded, while Harrison was sentenced to a two year jail term, wholly suspended for three years.