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A new mother accused of punching a stranger during an AFL game at Adelaide Oval has told a court she was acting in "self-defence" — moments before an altercation between her, her co-accused and the media.
Key points:
- The fight occurred at an AFL game in July and was caught on camera
- A woman and a man were charged with aggravated assault
- They appeared in court today, where the woman said she was acting in self-defence
Natelle Martine Hogg and Bill Brian Neville Fitzgerald appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with aggravated assault after an incident during a game between the Adelaide Crows and Essendon in July.
Ms Hogg is also facing two additional charges of resisting police and refusing to provide her name and address.
Today, Ms Hogg, 26, told Magistrate Terence Forrest that she wanted to plead guilty to the allegations because she wanted it "over and done with".
She said the victim "stood over" her at the football and was "intimidating" her.
"I had thrown a hit at him," she said.
"He only said he had pulled my arm, but he actually hit me.
"I don't really want to plead guilty when I was acting in self-defence. I'm really sorry for what I've done."
She told the court she had given birth to her son about two months before the alleged assault.
However, Magistrate Forrest urged her to get a lawyer because she could not admit to the allegations and maintain she was acting in self-defence.
"Why would you plead guilty when, from what you've told me, you're not guilty?" he said.
He said she should not enter a "plea of convenience".
Jewellery caused head cut, prosecutor says
The prosecution said Ms Hogg got into a verbal altercation with the victim before "striking him".
"The victim stated that he had a drink poured over him as well and at that point, that's when other persons have become involved," the prosecutor said.
"This is during the game in the crowd."
He said Ms Hogg threw a second punch and her jewellery caused a cut on the victim's head.
The magistrate told Ms Hogg it was "very much" in her "best interest" to get a lawyer.
"I know it's dragging on, I know you want it over and done with, but there are a number of considerations," he said.
"There are considerations I'm not certain you have fully grasped.
"It's the type of matter that's likely to get some publicity, it was at the Adelaide Oval during an AFL game.
"I'm assuming that some of the people taking notes are the media."
Ms Hogg responded: "Yeah I know, that's why I'm not saying much at all".
Outside court, there was an altercation between Ms Hogg, Mr Fitzgerald and media crews who were covering the case.
Topics: assault, crime, courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000, sa, australia