Waitress in wee bit of trouble

A YOUNG waitress stood with tears streaming down her face yesterday as a magistrate berated her actions during a wild night out last month.

Russian national Katharina Ljapin, 24, pleaded guilty to obstructing police and the contravention of a police banning notice at Southport Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard Ljapin chased a motorcycle along Old Burleigh Rd at Broadbeach on November 21, which caught the attention of police.

She then ran to the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club car park, where she “lowered her pants and underwear and urinated on the ground”, the court heard.

At this point officers stepped in and banned her from the safe night precinct at Broadbeach.

The court heard Ljapin, a waitress at The Fish House restaurant at Burleigh, argued with officers and was moved on.

But it appears Ljapin didn’t wander too far and was picked up by police not long after she was given the notice.

Ljapin claimed she was on her way to catch a tram from Broadbeach South station to her Mermaid Beach home.

Police explained to her this was impossible, because the tramline does not travel south of the station.

The court heard Ljapin was then arrested and walked to a police car where she attempted to wrestle her arms free.

She was taken to the Southport watchhouse and put in a cell by herself. The court heard she had a panic attack and was relocated to a padded cell.

Duty lawyer Sam Jackson, of Bamberry Lawyers, said Ljapin was “clearly not herself” and “didn’t leave the area as quickly as she needed to”.

Magistrate Clare Kelly described Ljapin’s behaviour as “just appalling”. “You were clearly intoxicated. Police have a tough job keeping precincts safe as it is,” Ms Kelly said. “Urinating in public is a disgraceful act ... I hope you feel some sense of shame.”

Ljapin was given a $400 good behaviour bond. No conviction was recorded. V1 - GCBE01Z01MA