A frail, grey-haired elderly lady who requires a mobility device to walk, hobbled into a North Queensland court to plead guilty to her first ever criminal charge – assaulting a police officer. Police prosecutor Bimal Raut, appearing in the Ingham Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, said Ingham woman Telcie Elford, 72, was at an Ingham address that had been visited by police due to concerns occupants of the home had been in breach of COVID-19 restrictions at 6pm on April 7. Mr Raut said Elford, sitting down at a kitchen table, became “aggressive and hostile and raised her fists several times”. He said the victim, who had been asked to leave by the occupants of the home, was warned about her behaviour and was being escorted to the front door. “She has raised her right elbow and struck the officer on the left arm and the rib cage.” Mr Raut said the officer received no lasting injuries but at the time suffered “minor bodily discomfort”. Magistrate Steven Mosch, in a voice raised high enough so the defendant could hear, said “it is very surprising to see a lady of your age in court on a charge of this nature.” “I know,” Elford replied, chuckling. Mr Mosch responded by saying the charge of assaulting a police officer was a very serious offence. He said, however, that the offending appeared to be out of character given her spotless criminal record. “I accept that recording a conviction against you, even at your age, might adversely affect your social wellbeing,” he said. Elford was fined $350. No conviction was recorded.
