Argument erupts at Fitness First gym: court

By Emma Spillett
Updated November 6 2012 - 1:29am, first published December 29 2011 - 10:44am

A Chinese international student was escorted from Wollongong’s Fitness First gym on Wednesday after refusing to leave when her demand for a refund wasn’t met, police allege.Ya Gi, of Wollongong, is accused of arguing with the popular fitness site’s night manager over her membership before ignoring repeated requests to leave, instead jumping on an exercise machine and working out.When police arrived at the gym, it is alleged Gi told officers: ‘‘I can’t stop this exercise, I have 20 minutes left’’ before officers escorted her from the building, Wollongong Local Court heard yesterday.Police claim Gi entered the Burelli St gym about 7.30pm and immediately demanded a refund of her membership.The centre’s night manager told the accused he was not authorised to issue refunds and advised her to return during the day and speak to the business manager, facts before the court said.It is alleged Gi became argumentative and was ordered to leave the premises but she refused, forcing the night manager to contact security. An officer spoke to Gi, again telling her she needed to exit the gym.Gi allegedly ignored the request, instead hopping on a rowing machine and starting to exercise.Police arrived about 9.30pm and approached the woman, instructing her to stop rowing, get off the machine and leave the gym.Gi allegedly told them she couldn’t stop exercising and officers were physically forced to stop the rower.Police then led Gi out of the building, walking her away as she began to struggle, the court heard.It is alleged the woman then lashed out, biting a police officer on the top of his hand before she continued to try to pull away from police.She was charged with remaining in enclosed lands, assaulting police and resisting officers.Prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Ryan did not oppose Gi’s bail but asked her to provide a residence, report to police and not enter the gym.Legal Aid solicitor Elizabeth Parkes told the court Gi was staying with friends but could not remember the exact address.Registrar Kathy Frost ordered conditional bail and adjourned the matter to January 10.

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