3 days ago
Failed senate candidate Raina Cruise has suspended sentence overturned for Adelaide CBD assault
An anti-vaccine protester who assaulted a pregnant police officer and two security guards in October 2021, has been taken into custody after her suspended sentence was overturned on appeal.
Raina Cruise, 42, was jailed on Monday after the South Australia's Court of Appeal found there was good reason to set aside the three-year suspended sentence and good behaviour bond handed to her in December last year.
Instead, it ordered her to serve an immediate term of imprisonment for three years, nine months and two weeks.
She will be eligible to apply for parole in two years.
Upon hearing the new sentence, Cruise asked to say goodbye to her family, but was told she could not leave the dock.
"See ya darling, keep the plants watered and the dog. Love you," she said to her daughter.
Cruise previously pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and was found guilty of intentionally causing harm to Constable Anthea Beck.
The court preciously heard Cruise became aggressive to security guards at a Rundle Street hotel as the two men she was with were ejected from the venue.
Cruise and the two men left the venue and were stopped by Constable Beck and another officer who were investigating the assault of the security guards.
"During this conversation, a sudden violent altercation ensued between you and Constable Beck, which ultimately led to you grabbing her and dragging her to the ground," Judge Joanne Deuter said.
Constable Beck suffered multiple injuries during the altercation, including two patches of her hair being torn from her scalp.
In a victim impact statement previously delivered to the court, Constable Beck revealed she had been pregnant at the time of the assault.
"When you kicked me, you kicked my baby," she said.
There were widespread demands for legislation changes following her initial sentence last year, with the government saying it would consider them.
"I think many in the community will be very supportive of the decision to appeal the sentence that was handed down. That appeal will be heard early next year," Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.
Outside court on Monday, defence lawyer Nick Vadasz, for Cruise, said his client was shocked by today's outcome.
