A 35-year-old woman appeared in Summary Court on Monday charged in connection with an alleged stand-off with police at a beach after two police officers were injured.
Soleil Shannin Watts faces two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, obstruction of police officers, causing fear of provocation of violence, escaping custody and threats to kill police.
She appeared via video link from custody before Magistrate Philippa McFarlane, who adjourned her bail hearing until Wednesday, 18 Sept., to give the prosecution time to inspect a property at which Watts would reside if bail were granted.
The court heard that immediately prior to her arrest, Watts had been staying at a room in a disused property, which is set to be demolished and which has no water or electricity.
Prosecutor Orrett Brown told the court the property manager is aware that Watts has been on the property, but “she is not authorised or welcome there”, and reports had been made to police to remove her.
He noted that if bail were granted, there would be no electricity at the address she provided to recharge an electronic monitoring device, which would likely be one of the conditions of her release on bail.
He added that the charges Watts faces arose from an operation carried out by the Department of Commerce and Investment on Seven Mile Beach, where she was allegedly found selling “some form of beverage”.
Brown said there were concerns that Watts would pose a flight risk.
Her lawyer Jonathon Hughes argued that since she has little financial means and her passport had been surrendered, Watts would be unable to leave the jurisdiction.
Watts, after raising her hand for permission to speak, told McFarlane that a friend in West Bay had offered to let her stay at her home. A police officer confirmed that the friend had been contacted and confirmed this information.
The prosecution asked the court for an opportunity to examine the friend’s address to determine if it was a suitable place for Watts to be bailed to.
McFarlane said she was worried about Watts’ living conditions at the disused property.
“I’m concerned about the fact that she has found herself in circumstances where she’s residing at a place where she’s not welcome and where there aren’t proper living facilities, no running water, no electricity, just basic human needs,” she said.
Watts was remanded in custody pending the bail hearing on Wednesday.
Additional reporting by Raymond Hainey.
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