Mum a cop ‘nuisance’

Triple-0 time waster sentenced

A MUM who repeatedly called triple-0 to ask officers questions has been sentenced in court.

Fiona Judith Helen Bonnell, 50, pleaded guilty to charges including improper use of emergency call service, vexatious, and assaulting a police officer. The calls were made between April 2-8 this year.

During the calls, Bonnell asked police officers for transport to see her daughter, and during one call she asked and made complaints about a court order.

She also called the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Queensland Ambulance Service.

Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Felicity Nalder said police had followed up with Bonnell each time she called, and had arrested her after the first call. It was then that the assault took place.

During a pat-down search, Bonnell called an officer a “stupid b--ch” and kicked backwards, striking the officer in the upper left thigh.

Sergeant Nalder said police had an obligation to follow up on calls to triple-0, which is what had been done for Bonnell each time.

“Every time they have to attend on her it takes up their time, it costs the community money and takes services away from (people who need it),” Sergeant Nalder said.

Defence lawyer Troydon Maltby said the “underlying feature for (Bonnell’s) offending” was intoxication.

He said while Bonnell had gone about her concerns in the wrong way, all of the calls had been about her young daughter.

Acting magistrate Peter Smid agreed, acknowledging Bonnell had not made the calls as a joke.

Mr Maltby said Bonnell’s calls were not a “deliberate attempt to misuse police time” and told Mr Smid that if a conviction was recorded it may impact Bonnell’s search for work as a nurse.

Mr Smid said Bonnell still wasted the time of authorities for something that was “genuine, but not appropriate” and encouraged her to continue treatment for her mental health.

Bonnell was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, with convictions recorded.