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Mother and daughter found guilty over Sydney supermarket loo roll stoush Sydney coronavirus toilet paper stoush: mother and daughter found guilty
(about 1 hour later)
Meriam Bebawy took the law into her own hands after another shopper grabbed a packet of toilet paper from her supermarket trolley, a magistrate has found Meriam Bebawy took the law into her own hands after another shopper grabbed a packet of toilet paper from her trolley at Woolworths, a magistrate has found
A Sydney magistrate has likened a coronavirus-fuelled stoush over toilet paper to a rugby league bust-up as he found a mother and daughter guilty of affray.A Sydney magistrate has likened a coronavirus-fuelled stoush over toilet paper to a rugby league bust-up as he found a mother and daughter guilty of affray.
Health worker Meriam Bebawy, 23, and her daycare operator mother, Treiza Bebawy, 61, have been sentenced over an altercation with another woman at a Woolworths store in Chullora on 7 March.Health worker Meriam Bebawy, 23, and her daycare operator mother, Treiza Bebawy, 61, have been sentenced over an altercation with another woman at a Woolworths store in Chullora on 7 March.
Footage of the incident went viral on social media in March amid widespread panic buying of toilet paper.Footage of the incident went viral on social media in March amid widespread panic buying of toilet paper.
The video showed the Bebawys yelling and fighting with fellow shopper Tracey Hinckson who had grabbed one of eight 36-roll toilet paper packs from their trolley.The video showed the Bebawys yelling and fighting with fellow shopper Tracey Hinckson who had grabbed one of eight 36-roll toilet paper packs from their trolley.
“The first interaction between her [Hinckson] and Meriam occasioned Treiza to join the fray,” Bankstown magistrate Peter Bugden said on Monday.“The first interaction between her [Hinckson] and Meriam occasioned Treiza to join the fray,” Bankstown magistrate Peter Bugden said on Monday.
“All of the civilian witnesses and staff recalled screaming people. It’s a classic affray.”“All of the civilian witnesses and staff recalled screaming people. It’s a classic affray.”
Recalling an incident involving former rugby league player turned super coach Jack Gibson, Bugden explained why Meriam bore ultimate responsibility for the altercation.Recalling an incident involving former rugby league player turned super coach Jack Gibson, Bugden explained why Meriam bore ultimate responsibility for the altercation.
“What Meriam Bebawy did was to take the law into her own hands,” the magistrate said.“What Meriam Bebawy did was to take the law into her own hands,” the magistrate said.
“I’m reminded of an analogy from rugby league ... these days, it’s the second man into the fight that gets the penalty for prolonging it.“I’m reminded of an analogy from rugby league ... these days, it’s the second man into the fight that gets the penalty for prolonging it.
“Rugby league authorities have known that for some time.“Rugby league authorities have known that for some time.
“Jack Gibson said he didn’t have time to have a management meeting out there. He took the action he did.”“Jack Gibson said he didn’t have time to have a management meeting out there. He took the action he did.”
In her police interview, Meriam Bebawy suggested Woolworths staff “ganged up” on them and said they were “selfish”.In her police interview, Meriam Bebawy suggested Woolworths staff “ganged up” on them and said they were “selfish”.
The magistrate explained the toilet paper wasn’t the property of the Bebawys until they paid for it.The magistrate explained the toilet paper wasn’t the property of the Bebawys until they paid for it.
While noting the “unpleasantness” of up to 40 shoppers bolting into the store in search of toilet paper, Bugden said Meriam’s “natural reaction” to rapidly chase after Hinckson led to the confrontation.While noting the “unpleasantness” of up to 40 shoppers bolting into the store in search of toilet paper, Bugden said Meriam’s “natural reaction” to rapidly chase after Hinckson led to the confrontation.
“Meriam Bebawy and Treiza Bebawy acted in a way that caused the affray to take place,” he said.“Meriam Bebawy and Treiza Bebawy acted in a way that caused the affray to take place,” he said.
Neither was in court on Monday as each was placed on a one-year conditional release order – a type of good behaviour bond.Neither was in court on Monday as each was placed on a one-year conditional release order – a type of good behaviour bond.
Treiza Bebawy, who runs a local family daycare centre, was not convicted.Treiza Bebawy, who runs a local family daycare centre, was not convicted.
Both women have lodged appeals which are expected to be heard on 14 August.Both women have lodged appeals which are expected to be heard on 14 August.