Upset mum allegedly dragged woman into car, drove off after daughter 'booped' in head

A mother is accused of dragging a woman through her car’s window and driving off after the latter “booped” her daughter on the head.

The 34-year-old, who is not named for legal reasons, was refused bail when she appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (16 October).

The woman heard yelling outside her home on Saturday (14 October) night and saw several people on the street, including the mother’s 13-year-old daughter, who was wearing a traffic cone on her head, police allege in court documents.

The daughter was allegedly yelling obscenities at the woman’s sister. The documents say the woman approached the group and tapped the traffic cone on the daughter’s head to try to “lighten the mood”.

But the girl allegedly started screaming at her, claiming she’d grabbed her. She also reportedly spat towards the woman, so the latter pushed her away.

Shortly afterwards, a car allegedly came around the corner at high speed, then drove towards the woman before swerving to the side at the last second.

It is alleged the mother, who was driving, pulled up alongside the woman, screamed at her, then grabbed her by her jumper, pulled her through her car’s window and punched her in the face.

She allegedly drove forward for about 10 metres while the woman’s legs were dangling in the air.

The woman allegedly managed to pull away and get out of the car. She had a bruise on her arm, scratches to her hand, and pain to her chest, neck and shoulder.

The mother was arrested on Sunday before appearing in court the next day where she was charged with assault and dangerous driving and applied for bail.

Her lawyer, Legal Aid’s Brandon Bodel, said the allegations were, in part, that the woman had gone up to a 13-year-old and “booped” her on the head.

He said his client had six children, five of whom lived with her and it would be a lot of responsibility for the eldest of those to look after the others if she was remanded in custody.

Mr Bodel also claimed no nexus between his client’s alleged actions and the woman’s injuries. He argued there were certain allegations that his client had done certain things, but there was a big question of “how these injuries got there”.

However, Special Magistrate Sean Richter said he did not think the prosecution had an overly weak case and noted that tragic family circumstances were not uncommon in criminal law.

“I take great pity on the children and I am concerned about them,” he said.

He refused bail. The matter was adjourned to later in October.