Alleged glassing mars New Year’s Eve revelry

A pub glassing and a hooning rampage marred an otherwise well-behaved New Year’s Eve in Geraldton, with police kept busy responding to antisocial incidents in the suburbs. Geraldton police operations manager Sgt Steve Beswick said there were a few “disappointing” exceptions, including a vehicle theft from Rudds Gully and a violent assault in a Geraldton pub. An 18-year-old woman was charged with unlawful wounding after allegedly glassing another woman at a New Year’s Eve event at The Freemasons Hotel. The pair attended the pub separately when the Drummond Cove woman allegedly struck the 38-year-old victim from behind with a glass just after midnight. Geraldton detectives officer in charge Det-Sen. Sgt Bruce McDonald said witnesses held the accused down before nearby police attended and arrested her. “It was a pretty serious incident which could have resulted in severe injuries or even loss of life,” he said. “Luckily the victim did not sustain any serious injuries and was immediately taken to hospital for treatment.” He said inquiries were continuing and it was not yet established if the women knew each other. The 18-year-old woman was released on bail to face court on January 14. Further afield, in Rudds Gully, locals complained of damage to streets and homes following a large party organised by a 17-year-old boy. One resident, who asked not to be named, said she believed revellers were behind the theft of a car which was heard hooning around the area. “There was damage and rubbish spread out across the surrounding streets,” she said. “It was a disappointing night here, and residents are angry.” Sgt Beswick confirmed police were investigating the incident, saying the car was found burnt out the following day in Karloo. Despite the two incidents, Sgt Beswick said it was “all in all a good night”, with residents mostly behaving well. “Police were kept busy with numerous reports after 11pm,” he said. “There was minimal impact in the city, with most calls relating to antisocial behaviour in the suburbs.” “All of these were related to the excessive consumption of alcohol. A number of move-on notices were issued, but there were no arrests made.”