UPDATE: An 18-year-old woman from the South Coast has narrowly avoided prison time after violently assaulting three police officers during her arrest. Alarna Perez, previously from Bomaderry, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on August 8, 2023, after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of assaulting an officer.
The incident unfolded during a knife-scanning operation in Glebe as part of Operation ARES. Police approached Perez, who admitted to having two bongs in her backpack. A background check revealed she had violated her bail conditions.
According to court documents, once confronted, Perez became “irate and verbally abusive” before attacking the officers, punching, kicking, and spitting on them. The assault escalated as she continued to resist arrest, reportedly biting one officer and destroying another’s fitness tracker.
During her court appearance via video link from Silverwater Women’s Prison, where she had been held for two weeks, Perez expressed remorse. “I’ve really had some support in here from the girls, and they’ve had some conversations with me,” she stated, describing her prison experience as “horrible.”
Her lawyer, Daniel Turner, argued for a non-custodial sentence, citing Perez’s mental health issues and challenging background. He emphasized her desire for a fresh start in Sydney.
Despite being sentenced to 18 months in jail, Magistrate Doug Dick decided to convert the sentence into an intensive corrections order, allowing her to serve her time in the community. “You’ve had a short taste of jail, and one would think you wouldn’t want to go back there,” he warned Perez.
Magistrate Dick further cautioned that if Perez violated the terms of her community corrections, she would face immediate repercussions. “If you end up back in a cell, you’ll know who to blame,” he stated firmly.
Following the ruling, a contrite Perez declared, “I’m willing to try anything, sir. I just want a second chance.” This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues within the legal system and the complexities of managing community safety.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
