Love triangle assault accused fronts court

A TOOWOOMBA woman has avoided serious consequences after an Australia Day love triangle assault.

Maddison Brooke Hogarth, 22, fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday where she pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment.

The court heard how the incident between Hogarth and another woman unfolded on January 26.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Julia Wheaton told the court Hogarth yelled “here you are then you dirty sl**”, believing the complainant had purposely bumped into her at a function at the Spotted Cow about 9pm.

Police further alleged that Hogarth then pulled the victim by the hair and pushed her to the ground numerous times before then approaching her outside the venue where she pulled the victim’s hair, pushed her to the ground again and slapped her.

Senior Constable Wheaton said the defendant believed she had consumed a bottle of vodka at the event, had no memory of the slapping incident and thought the victim bumped into her on purpose.

Hogath’s solicitor Chelsea Salumbide argued that her client had discovered the week before that the victim, who she believed to be her best friend, had sexual intercourse with her partner of three years.

Ms Salumbide told the court her client was upset at the news and appalled at her own behaviour, but claimed it was not premeditated as Hogarth was unaware the victim was at the venue.

Hogarth was placed on a $500 six-month good behaviour bond by Acting Magistrate Roger Stark with no conviction recorded.