Children cried as mum took on police

CHILDREN’S screams echoed through a Southport court as a magistrate watched a young mum violently resist arrest in front of her frightened kids on police body-camera footage.

Fronting Southport Magistrates Court yesterday, Hayley Joy Barclay’s two children aged under five were distracted by a helpful prosecutor, who played with them quietly as their mother faced the music for obstructing a police officer.

Barclay, 23, was pulled over by police alongside another vehicle at Surfers Paradise on October 9 last year in relation to an armed robbery.

She was never charged over that allegation, but two people travelling in the separate vehicle were charged after a handgun was allegedly found, the court was told.

On the day, Barclay was ordered to lay on the ground because police officers initially feared she may be armed.

When Barclay began to defy their instructions, pushing against them and struggling, the situation escalated quickly. Barclay was soon swarmed by police as her children watched on, screaming and crying.

She could be heard shouting “hope you’re happy you (expletive) dogs” and “I need to deal with my (expletive) kids, (expletive)”.

Eventually, Barclay fell onto an officer, was handcuffed and hauled into a police vehicle.

Barclay’s battle against officers resulted in a female constable suffering a soft tissue injury to a finger, which a doctor said could take up to six weeks to heal.

Barclay was originally taking a charge of seriously assaulting police to trial, but pleaded guilty yesterday after the prosecution did not proceed with the more serious allegation.

Barclay was fined $300 and ordered to pay $500 to the injured police officer.

Outside court, Barclay said she “didn’t” obstruct police, but pleaded guilty to “get it over and dealt with so I can live my life”.