A former Darwin real estate agent, Suzi Milgate, has been convicted of aggravated assault by the court. Judge Julie Franz delivered the verdict in Darwin Local Court following a judge-only trial. The NT Chief Minister assault case centred on a September 2023 incident involving former Northern Territory leader Natasha Fyles.
The Northern Territory politics news follows proceedings in which Milgate represented herself. The guilty verdict means she may face potential jail time for pushing a cream-covered crepe into Natasha Fyles’ face. This NT government news marks a significant development in Territory political discourse and public safety.
NT Chief Minister Assault Case: Judge Delivers Guilty Verdict
Judge Julie Franz ruled the crepe was an “offensive weapon” in the NT Chief Minister assault case. The court heard Suzi Milgate pushed the dessert into Natasha Fyles’ face at Nightcliff Markets. This occurred during a public appearance by the then-Territory leader.
The Northern Territory politics news verdict followed testimony from multiple witnesses. Judge Franz stated witnesses saw Milgate “lunge at Ms Fyles” with the cream-covered crepe. The court accepted that this action caused injury to the former Chief Minister.
Northern Territory Politics News: Pre-Planned Attack at Markets
The NT government news revealed Milgate asked friend Julie Collins to film the interaction. She waited outside a Bendigo Bank branch where Fyles attended a function. When the former Chief Minister exited, Milgate approached her immediately.
Figure 2: Crowds at Nightcliff Markets in Darwin.
Milgate said words to the effect: “You ignored me, I wrote to you”. She referenced seeking an exemption and claimed Fyles was not “worthy of your response”. Judge Franz determined that this demonstrated pre-planning in the NT Chief Minister assault incident.
Vaccine Policy Frustration Motivated Actions
Milgate described the incident as an act of “protest” against COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Northern Territory politics news case heard that she believed these policies negatively impacted her husband. He suffered a stroke and required an operation.
The NT government news revealed Milgate’s husband could not obtain a vaccine exemption. She told the court: “My whole life turned upside down.” Milgate added, “To me it was life or death” during her submissions to the court.
Defence Arguments Rejected by Judge
Milgate disputed whether a “plate of food” should be considered a weapon. She did not deny hitting Fyles with the crepe but argued about the level of force used in the NT Chief Minister assault case.
Judge Franz rejected these arguments in the Northern Territory politics news verdict. The court ruled Fyles was threatened with “an offensive weapon, namely a crepe with cream”. Medical testimony showed Fyles suffered bruising under her eye following the incident.
Emotional Response to Guilty Finding
Suzi Milgate broke down after the guilty verdict was delivered. She accused Judge Franz of making “mistakes and errors” in her ruling. The former real estate agent represented herself throughout the NT Chief Minister assault trial.
Figure 3: Suzi Milgate outside her former real estate office in Darwin.Â
Outside the court, Milgate announced plans to appeal the decision in this Northern Territory politics news case. Sentencing was adjourned to allow her time to gather character references for the court.
Crown Pushes for Custodial Sentence
Prosecutor Rhiannon McGlinn told the court the offence warrants a jail sentence. The NT government news case carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. However, McGlinn noted Milgate had already served time in custody for another matter.
The prosecutor suggested a further sentence could be served in the community. She described Milgate as showing “a degree of pre-planning” in the Northern Territory politics news incident and argued the former agent showed no remorse for her actions.
Professional Consequences Mount for Convicted Woman
Milgate told the court she had been deregistered as a real estate agent. The NT government news revealed she fell into debt following the incident. Her marriage had also broken down since the assault.
The NT Agents Licensing Board previously revoked her licence while she was contesting the NT Chief Minister assault criminal charges. The revocation stemmed from separate tenant harassment complaints against her business.
NT Government News: Degrading Attack Says Prosecutor
McGlinn described the incident as an “incredibly degrading” attack in the Northern Territory politics news case. She argued Milgate attempted to “play off what she did as a joke”, stating it was neither a prank nor a lighthearted gesture.
The NT Chief Minister assault contributed to heightened security needs for politicians. McGlinn said it impacted how elected officials engage with the community and represented a serious example of aggravated assault.
Personal Circumstances Detailed in Court
Milgate thanked Fyles’ 8,000-strong workforce during proceedings. The Northern Territory politics news case heard about challenges surrounding her husband’s medical situation. She believed vaccine mandates “jeopardised” his life during a critical health period.
Figure 5: An empty courtroom interior representing the judicial setting.
The NT government news revealed Milgate’s grievances with the decisions Fyles made as Chief Minister. Judge Franz acknowledged these frustrations but ruled they did not justify the assault.
Final Judgment Delayed for Character References
Judge Franz stated she is considering a term of imprisonment in the NT Chief Minister assault case, which may be suspended according to court indications. The final sentencing decision will be made at a later hearing.
Milgate must gather character references before returning to court. The Northern Territory politics news case represents a significant moment in the Territory’s judicial proceedings and broader NT government news landscape.
FAQs
Q1: What was Suzi Milgate found guilty of?
Suzi Milgate was found guilty of aggravated assault after pushing a cream-covered crepe into former Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles’ face.
Q2: When was the guilty verdict delivered in the NT Chief Minister assault case?
The guilty verdict was delivered in Darwin Local Court following a judge-only trial.
Q3: What is the maximum penalty for the NT Chief Minister assault offence?
The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. The judge indicated a suspended sentence is possible.
Q4: Why did Suzi Milgate assault the former NT Chief Minister?
Milgate described the act as a protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which she believed negatively affected her husband.
