Toolies wrecking party
TOWNSVILLE “toolies” have tarnished the first night of Schoolies celebrations in Airlie Beach with a man being charged for punching a teenage girl and a policeman in an ugly incident.
Inspector Steve O’Connell said it was the first time in his experience working at the event that not a single school leaver was arrested or charged on the first night of Schoolies. Unfortunately, older partygoers were not so well behaved.
Insp O’Connell said two 18year- old men from Townsville got in an argument with three schoolies, two male and one female, about 1am yesterday outside the Airlie Beach McDonald’s.
“One of the 18- year- olds has tried to punch one of the male schoolies and missed,” he said.
“He struck a 17- year- old girl in the face. She ended up with two black eyes and a very sore face.”
Insp O’Connell said when police arrived on scene the two Townsville men fled with police giving chase before the man who allegedly hit the girl punched mouth.
Other officers eventually subdued the offender and he was taken into custody.
Both the teenage girl and the officer were taken to hospital and later released with the policeman requiring four stitches to his lip.
One of the 18- year- old men was charged with assault causing bodily harm and serious as- an officer in the sault on a police officer causing bodily harm.
He has been held in custody to front Proserpine Magistrates Court today.
The other 18- year- old was released without charge.
Insp O’Connell said another six people, all non- school leavers, were arrested in relation to numerous offences on the first Saturday night of celebrations.
“The non- schoolies are absolutely causing more issues and that’s been the way it’s been since we introduced an extra police presence in town,” Insp O’Connell said.
“We find that the schoolies, although they have minor issues in the past, they are quite low level whereas the other people in town quickly come to the attention of police for misbehaviour.”
Insp O’Connell said he was hopeful school leavers would continue to behave as the celebrations continued.