A woman who hurled a cream crepe at the face of a chief minister has been handed a 12-month suspended sentence for aggravated assault. This decision reflects the court’s stance on maintaining decorum and the seriousness of such actions, even if committed in jest or protest.
Standing at the lawyers’ bench, the woman expressed her frustration, saying, “I feel like all of you are her agents … when the battle is just between me and her.” This statement underscores her perception of being isolated in her confrontation with the minister.
At the time of the incident, the woman, identified as Milgate, was 56 years old. She had previously appeared on national television to offer an apology, which she claims was not accepted by the minister. This public apology was an attempt to amend her actions, yet it did not garner the forgiveness she sought.
In the courtroom, Judge Franz addressed attempts to challenge her impartiality as well as that of the prosecutor. She dismissed these disqualification applications, asserting there was no bias influencing the proceedings. Her decision highlights the judiciary’s commitment to fairness and impartiality.
Milgate defended her character, stating she had never been a bad person and insisted she would “never hurt a fly.” Her self-description aims to illustrate that her actions were not representative of her usual behavior.
Judge Franz acknowledged that the crepe incident was not typical of Milgate, recognizing her past as someone of excellent character. This acknowledgment played a role in the decision to suspend the sentence, suggesting that the incident was an anomaly in Milgate’s otherwise unblemished history.
But when Milgate kept interrupting sentencing remarks, the judge warned her she would call security in.
The offending was premeditated, as Milgate had asked someone beforehand to film the crepe attack, with no remorse shown later, the judge said.
She took into account Milgate had been suffering stress, anxiety and depression at the time of the incident, had lost her real estate business and livelihood and had spent 24 days in jail after being arrested.
When Milgate heard she had been given a 12-month suspended jail sentence she began to cry and thanked the judge, saying “you redeemed yourself”.
