Mum slaps stranger boarding Qantas flight to New Zealand at Sydney airport

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A mother-of-six who slapped a stranger she thought was staring at her while waiting to board an international Qantas flight has pleaded guilty to the random assault. 

New Zealander Jaylene Jones-Tango was standing in the departure lounge at Sydney Airport ready to board QF149 to Auckland shortly before 5pm on October 20.

Sitting in front of 36-year-old Jones-Tango was a 61-year-old woman who was waiting with her husband and another passenger to catch the same flight. 

Without warning, and apparently for no reason, Jones-Tango slapped the woman between the shoulder blades, according to a statement of facts tendered in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.

Mum slaps stranger boarding Qantas flight to New Zealand at Sydney airport

A mother-of-six who slapped a stranger she thought was staring at her while waiting to board a Qantas flight has pleaded guilty to the random assault. New Zealander Jaylene Jones-Tango, 36, is pictured outside Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Monday

Jones-Tango was standing in the departure lounge at Sydney Airport ready to board QF149 to Auckland shortly before 5pm on October 20. Sitting in front of her was a 61-year-old woman who was waiting with her husband and another passenger to catch the same flight

Jones-Tango was standing in the departure lounge at Sydney Airport ready to board QF149 to Auckland shortly before 5pm on October 20. Sitting in front of her was a 61-year-old woman who was waiting with her husband and another passenger to catch the same flight

‘The impact of the slap shocked the victim, causing her to turn around,’ the statement said. ‘At this time she observed a female standing behind her who then said, “Hi”.’

Jones-Tango, who the victim described as having ‘blondey hair’ and being of ‘Maori or Polynesian ethnicity’, walked off and sat down behind her.

The court heard the victim had been a teacher for 40 years in her native New Zealand and had extensive experience dealing with ‘problem children’.

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‘The victim, while shocked at the behaviour, did not retaliate or respond as a means of de-escalating a potentially volatile situation,’ the statement of facts said. 

‘The victim moved seating positions so she could keep an eye on the girl. Over the next few minutes the accused has continuously taunted the victim by pulling faces and giving offensive signs.’

A short time later, Jones-Tango approached the woman again and without provocation opened her left hand and with a swinging arm slapped her on the right side of her face.

Without warning, and apparently for no reason, Jones-Tango slapped a stranger between the shoulder blades. The victim then turned around, according to a statement of facts tendered in court. 'At this time she observed a female standing behind her who then said, "Hi"'

Without warning, and apparently for no reason, Jones-Tango slapped a stranger between the shoulder blades. The victim then turned around, according to a statement of facts tendered in court. ‘At this time she observed a female standing behind her who then said, “Hi”‘ 

A short time after the first slap, Jones-Tango approached the woman again and without provocation opened her left hand and with a swinging arm hit her on the right side of her face. Passengers are pictured queuing at Sydney Airport

A short time after the first slap, Jones-Tango approached the woman again and without provocation opened her left hand and with a swinging arm hit her on the right side of her face. Passengers are pictured queuing at Sydney Airport

The victim responded by saying ‘Hey!’ but again did not retaliate.

‘The force of the slap caused immediate pain to the victim’s right cheek and left her in “disbelief”, later stating, “I knew it wasn’t personal because I have never seen her before”,’ the statement of facts said.

‘The accused has walked away from the victim and returned to a nearby seat where she stared out of the window.’

Australian Federal Police officers were called and observed Jones-Tango appeared to be be affected by drugs or alcohol. 

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Qantas security removed Jones-Tango from the flight and she was charged with one count of common assault.

On Monday she faced magistrate Daniel Covington who heard Jones-Tango had arrived in Australia six weeks ago on a holiday.

The court heard Jones-Tango had formed the view the woman she slapped had been staring at her before she launched her assault. She had written a letter of apology to the victim and another to the court. Jones-Tango is pictured with a friend outside court

The court heard Jones-Tango had formed the view the woman she slapped had been staring at her before she launched her assault. She had written a letter of apology to the victim and another to the court. Jones-Tango is pictured with a friend outside court

She had been drinking before her flight home and after being arrested was staying with a friend at Mount Druitt, wanting to return to New Zealand as soon as possible. 

One of 11 siblings, Jones-Tango had six children who did not live with her, the court heard. She was unemployed, had been the victim of violence and suffered trauma.

‘As far as the facts are concerned they are most regrettable,’ her barrister said. ‘A random attack on someone minding their own business at the airport.’  

The court heard Jones-Tango had formed the view the woman she slapped had been staring at her before she launched her assault.

She had written a letter of apology to the victim and another to the court.

Jones-Tango had been drinking before her flight home and after being arrested had been staying with a friend at Mount Druitt, wanting to return to New Zealand as soon as possible. Passengers are pictured arriving at the Qantas terminal at Sydney Airport

Jones-Tango had been drinking before her flight home and after being arrested had been staying with a friend at Mount Druitt, wanting to return to New Zealand as soon as possible. Passengers are pictured arriving at the Qantas terminal at Sydney Airport

Mr Covington described the assault as a ‘random attack’ and said Jones-Tango’s belief the victim had been staring at her ‘certainly doesn’t justify the actions’.

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‘People at the airport should be able to go about their day without being assaulted,’ he said, before convicting Jones-Tango and fining her $1,000.         

Following Jones-Tango’s arrest, the AFP’s Sydney Airport commander Morgen Blunden said police would not hesitate to prosecute people whose behaviour endangered other passengers.

‘Thousands of people are travelling through Sydney Airport every day and we are serious about making sure it remains a safe environment for travellers and employees who work there,’ Detective Superintendent Blunden said.

‘We will not tolerate this type of allegedly violent and unprovoked behaviour and people should know that we will prosecute them to the full extent of the law if they pose a threat to people’s safety.’

Following Jones-Tango's arrest, the AFP's Sydney Airport commander Morgen Blunden said police would not hesitate to prosecute people whose behaviour endangered other passengers

Following Jones-Tango’s arrest, the AFP’s Sydney Airport commander Morgen Blunden said police would not hesitate to prosecute people whose behaviour endangered other passengers

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