A woman who allegedly armed herself with a petrol hose and pumped fuel at an Illawarra police officer has been granted bail.
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Patrolling Lake Illawarra police used lights and sirens to bring Tracy Dale's white Hyundai Excel to a stop at the Sunset Petroleum Service Station on Windang Road, Windang about 4.30pm on February 4, after registration checks revealed the car's plates belonged to a red panel van
Talks with Dale grew heated when police questioned her about a large amount of property found in her car, including clothing, jewellery, dinner sets and other things from Kmart.
Dale told police the property was hers and that she was currently homeless. She used a lighter to ignite a cigarette then allegedly abused the officers after they told her they would be seizing the items as suspected stolen property.
After a physical struggle over some items, she allegedly then lifted an unleaded petrol hose off the bowser and pressed the handle, causing fuel to spurt in the direction of one officer.
She was brought heavily to the ground and was injured in the ensuing struggle, later requiring treatment from paramedics. Meantime the officer had to "take evasive action and run" to avoid being doused in fuel.
In an account considered by Magistrate Daryl Pearce on Monday, police described the incident as "nothing short of appalling".
Police say Dale's injuries were the result of her thrashing her arms and legs to avoid being handcuffed.
Police allegedly found a small amount of methylamphetamine on her during her arrest, and ID cards in different names. Police later obtained CCTV footage allegedly showing Dale departing Shellharbour Kmart with a trolley full of goods, without paying. The items have since been returned to the store.
A visibly distressed Dale applied for bail in court on Monday.
Magistrate Pearce heard the 42-year-old, of Bellambi, was a victim of recent violence who had been homeless but had now found temporary accommodation with a relative.
The magistrate noted the seriousness of the charges - "she placed herself in danger as well as the police officer" - but agreed to grant strict conditional bail.
She is required to abide by a curfew and to report to police daily. The matter returns to court June 21.
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