Brodee Lea Scott, 22, has been denied bail after allegedly participating in a home invasion and assault in Geelong West. Scott appeared in Geelong Magistrates' Court last Tuesday, accused of storming a woman's home with two teenage girls, assaulting the resident, and ransacking the property. Police allege that Scott intervened when one of her co-accused attempted to stab the alleged victim with a knife.
According to Detective Acting-Sergeant Peter Willetts, the incident occurred on August 16, when Scott and two 17-year-old girls, who cannot be named due to their age, targeted the woman's home. The court heard that one of the teenagers reportedly had a grievance against the victim, believing she possessed information about a death. The victim was allegedly assaulted by all three individuals, including being stomped on. Her home was allegedly ransacked, and she was threatened with further violence.
Scott's lawyer, Hollie Lyons, argued that her client was attempting to de-escalate the situation and was acting as a buffer between her co-accused and the victim. However, prosecutors contended that Scott was a willing and aggressive participant. Police presented evidence including CCTV footage and an audio recording to support their case, which was described as 'very strong'. The alleged victim sustained injuries including a broken nose, a possible broken jaw, and a cut requiring stitches. She was hospitalized for two days and reportedly felt too fearful to return to her home.
Following the initial incident, the court heard that the trio allegedly returned to the house, smashed a window with a golf club, and stole more items. The alleged victim managed to escape but was reportedly followed and assaulted again by one of Scott's co-accused.
Scott, who resides in government housing and previously worked at The Reject Shop, sought bail to return to her mother's care. Her legal team highlighted her youth, her lack of prior prison experience, and suggested she was caught up in a grievance that was not her own. She had been assessed as suitable for supported bail and expressed willingness to engage with treatment programs.
Magistrate Simon Guthrie ultimately denied Scott's bail application, stating she had failed to establish the exceptional circumstances required for release. He noted Scott's alleged role in the aggressive and threatening behavior during the home invasion. One of Scott's co-accused has been remanded in custody, while the other was scheduled to appear in the Children's Court.
Scott's bail refusal comes weeks after the death of 18-year-old Tarsha Golightly, who died in custody at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Golightly had been facing charges including theft, criminal damage by arson, aggravated burglary, and breaching a family violence intervention order. She was arrested in early May and later transferred to the women's prison, where she died five days later. The court heard she died by suicide in the prison yard and that handwritten notes expressing suicidal thoughts were later found.