Former Darwin Agent Found Guilty of Assaulting Chief Minister with Crepe
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A Darwin real estate agent may face jail time after being found guilty of aggravated assault for throwing a cream-covered crepe at former Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. The incident, stemming from grievances over COVID-19 vaccine mandates, culminated in a guilty verdict delivered Tuesday morning in a judge-only trial.
The court heard the assault occurred on September 24, 2023, at Darwin’s Nightcliff Markets. Suzi Milgate approached Natasha Fyles and deliberately pushed a crepe into her face. Milgate, who represented herself during the trial, reportedly broke down after the verdict and accused Judge Julie Franz of errors in her ruling.
“Act of Protest” Deemed Aggravated Assault
Milgate characterized her actions as a “protest” against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates implemented by Fyles, believing these policies negatively impacted her husband’s health. She admitted to making contact with Fyles with the crepe but contested the level of force used, arguing that a “plate of food” shouldn’t be considered a weapon.
However, Judge Franz ruled that Fyles had been threatened with “an offensive weapon, namely a crepe with cream,” and sustained injuries as a result. A general practitioner testified that Fyles suffered bruising under her eye following the incident.
Pre-Planned Attack and Lack of Remorse
Witnesses testified that Milgate “lunged” at Fyles, and that the assault was not spontaneous. The court learned Milgate enlisted a friend, Julie Collins, to film the interaction and then waited outside a Bendigo Bank branch for Fyles to emerge from a function. Upon encountering Fyles, Milgate reportedly confronted her, stating, “You ignored me, I wrote to you, I asked for an exemption and you said I wasn’t worthy of your response.”
Judge Franz noted Milgate was motivated by dissatisfaction with decisions Fyles made during the pandemic. During sentencing submissions, Milgate claimed Fyles had “jeopardised” her husband’s life, explaining he suffered a stroke in January 2020 and required an operation but was unable to obtain a vaccine exemption. “My whole life turned upside down,” Milgate told the court. “To me it was life or death.”
Potential Jail Sentence and Appeal
Prosecutors, led by Rhiannon McGlinn, argued for a jail sentence, citing the maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for the offense. While acknowledging Milgate had already served 24 days in custody for an unrelated matter, McGlinn emphasized Milgate’s “degree of pre-planning” and lack of remorse, accusing her of attempting to “play off what she did as a joke.” McGlinn further described the incident as an “incredibly degrading” attack that has increased security concerns for politicians and impacted their engagement with the public.
Judge Franz indicated she was considering a term of imprisonment, likely suspended. Outside court, Milgate announced her intention to appeal the decision. Sentencing has been adjourned until January to allow Milgate time to gather character references.
