UPDATE: An 18-year-old woman has narrowly escaped jail time after violently assaulting three police officers during an arrest in Glebe. Alarna Perez, previously a resident of Bomaderry, was sentenced in Batemans Bay Local Court on August 8, 2023, after pleading guilty to multiple domestic violence and assault charges.
The incident unfolded as police conducted a knife-scanning operation under Operation ARES. Authorities approached Perez, who admitted to having drug paraphernalia in her backpack. A background check revealed she was in breach of bail conditions. Following this, she became “irate and verbally abusive,” according to court documents, leading to a violent outburst where she punched, kicked, and spat on the officers.
While being taken into custody, Perez escalated her aggression, reportedly biting one officer and damaging another’s fitness tracker. Her defense attorney, Daniel Turner, argued against a custodial sentence, citing significant disadvantages and ongoing mental health issues. He emphasized the need for community-based rehabilitation, stating, “If afforded the opportunity, she would like a fresh start in Sydney.”
During her video link appearance from Silverwater Women’s Prison, where she had spent two weeks, Perez expressed remorse for her actions. “I’ve really had some support in here from the girls, and they’ve had some conversations with me,” she told Magistrate Doug Dick. “It’s a horrible life in here.”
Despite being sentenced to 18 months in jail, the court opted for an intensive corrections order to allow her to serve her time in the community. Magistrate Dick cautioned Perez that further violations of her community corrections terms would lead to immediate parole board action rather than a return to court. “If you end up back in a cell, you’ll know who to blame,” he warned.
After learning her fate, Perez expressed a willingness to change: “I’m willing to try anything, sir. I just want a second chance.” The court’s decision highlights the ongoing debate surrounding rehabilitation versus punishment for young offenders, especially those grappling with mental health challenges.
As this case develops, community members are urged to reflect on the balance between accountability and support for individuals facing difficult circumstances.
