Woman allegedly robbed at Northbourne Avenue tram stop after cigarette dispute

A Far South Coast resident accused of attacking a woman at a Northbourne Avenue tram stop after a dispute about cigarettes has been granted bail.

On Wednesday (20 September), Natalie Helen Sheridan, a 37-year-old from Moruya, was charged with robbery and assault when she appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court.

The woman had told police that she bought a packet of cigarettes and was heading home when she reached the light rail stop at Ipima Street on Tuesday morning (19 September) and saw three women sitting nearby, court documents say.

It is alleged one of them was Sheridan, who asked the woman if she had any cigarettes. She said no and continued walking, but it is alleged Sheridan said, “Well, based on what you look like, you would have one”.

“Based on what anyone looks like shouldn’t mean they should give you what you want,” the woman replied.

Sheridan allegedly ran at her and the pair got into a struggle, during which Sheridan punched the woman in the head, knocking her to the ground.

It is alleged one of the two others who had been with Sheridan approached and kicked the woman in the head when she was down, while Sheridan continued to punch her in the head.

She then allegedly pulled a new packet of cigarettes out of the woman’s handbag and walked away. The woman took photos of the group before calling police.

When police spoke with Sheridan, she told them the woman had tripped over on the road.

She applied to be released on bail on Wednesday, which was opposed by the prosecution. Her lawyer, Legal Aid’s Ketinia McGowan, said she lived in Moruya and could catch the bus there that afternoon and only return to the ACT for legal appointments.

Magistrate Robert Cook said photos showed injuries to the woman’s face, eye, cheek, shoulders and knees, alleging extensive violence had been inflicted on her.

“I have real difficulties in granting your application today,” he told her.

“I’ll go straight home,” Sheridan told him.

However, Magistrate Cook also said if she was remanded in custody then the “burden” of that would be passed on to her children.

He granted bail and adjourned until 3 October.