An Australian woman was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence Tuesday for aggravated assault after hitting a former chief minister with a cream crepe.
Crepe Attack and Sentencing
Suzanne Lee Milgate was found guilty in December of assaulting Natasha Fyles, then-chief minister, at Darwin’s Nightcliff Markets in September 2023. The incident was filmed and showed Milgate hitting Fyles with the pastry.
Judge Julie Franz ruled in Darwin Local Court that the crepe constituted an “offensive weapon” and caused bruising around Fyles’ eye. Milgate, who previously had her real estate agent’s licence revoked for harassing tenants, characterized the act as a “protest” against Covid-19 vaccine mandates imposed by Fyles.
During her trial, Milgate claimed her husband was unable to receive a vaccine exemption for a necessary operation following a stroke in January 2020.
Claims of Bias and Apology
Milgate represented herself in court and unsuccessfully requested the judge and prosecutor recuse themselves, alleging bias and collusion with Fyles. She stated, “I feel like all of you are her agents… when the battle is just between me and her.”
Milgate said she had publicly apologized for the incident, but Fyles had not accepted it. She also asserted she had “never been a bad person” and would “never hurt a fly.”
Judge Franz rejected the requests for recusal, stating there was no evidence of bias. While acknowledging Milgate’s previously good character, the judge emphasized the premeditated nature of the assault – noting Milgate had asked someone to film the attack – and the lack of remorse shown.
Suspended Sentence and Appeal
The judge noted the maximum penalty for the offence was five years in jail. Mitigating factors included Milgate’s stress, anxiety, and depression at the time, the loss of her business, and 24 days spent in jail after her arrest.
Upon receiving the 12-month suspended sentence, Milgate reportedly cried and thanked the judge, saying, “you redeemed yourself.” Outside court, she expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, stating it would hinder her ability to regain her real estate licence, and indicated she would appeal the decision.
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