Hitting a bum note

Drunk woman’s tirade at busker

A COOMBABAH woman who objected to a busker and screamed profanities at him on New Year’s Eve has narrowly missed spending time in jail.

Toni Michelle Hawkings, 44, claims the abuse started because the busker asked for money. She pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to public nuisance.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Douglas Bettany said police were conducting checks near the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, about 9.35pm when the woman began yelling.

“Police observed her screaming abuse at a male busker who was on the footpath,” Sgt Bettany said.

“As police were watching the defendant, she continued to swear.”

The court was told Hawkins called the busker a derogatory name for female anatomy, leaving passers-by looking “disgusted”.

Sgt Bettany said police then saw Hawkins kick the busker’s drink bottle, spraying water all over the speakers.

Duty lawyer Joe Wicking, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Hawkins had been dealing with the death of her father in October.

Mr Wicking said Hawkins knew the busker.

“There was a demand for money from the busker,” he said.

“Her behaviour on that occasion was not appropri- ate despite what may have been said.”

Mr Wicking said Hawkins was intoxicated at the time and had a previous history of drugs. At the time of the incident Hawkins received a 10-day ban from the Surfers Paradise Safe Night Precinct.

Magistrate Dermot Kehoe sentenced Hawkins to one month in jail, which was suspended.

He set an operational period of six months.