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A masked protester claims a prominent Melbourne mayor appeared “filled with rage” before allegedly punching her in the face during an event to celebrate his election in the city’s inner north.
Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday over the November 1, 2024, incident, where he is accused of assaulting community development worker Estella Burrows.
The court heard an altercation had occurred during a party to celebrate the mayor’s re-election to Yarra Council the previous day. The celebration was held at Ziggy’s Disco Lounge on Smith Street in Fitzroy.
Jolly has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of unlawful assault.
Burrows told the court that she and three friends had attended the publicly advertised event to protest against Jolly’s election. She said the group had been wearing masks to conceal their identities and had plans to unfurl a banner, but did not intend to act violently.
“We were aiming to draw attention to the re-election of Stephen Jolly of a councillor … [to] his history of violence against women,” Burrows told the court.
A video of the incident, which was played in court, began with a person making an announcement at the event over a megaphone. Burrows identified the speaker as one of the protesters.
“Residents of Yarra Council. We are here to congratulate you on electing our most prolific sexual predator. Congratulations everyone, a rapist, domestic abuser, sexual harasser,” the speaker says.
The footage then appeared to show a scuffle between the group and other party attendees. Unidentified voices were heard saying, “get out” and “Stephen, stop it”.
Burrows said that following the announcement, a woman she didn’t recognise had told her and the protesting group: “Get out. You’re not welcome here.”
She claimed Jolly, whom she described as appearing angry and “filled with rage”, then punched her in the left cheek using his right hand.
“[Jolly] punched me without hesitation. Without forewarning. Without saying anything to me prior to that … He moved towards me quickly, and without hesitation, punched my left cheek,” Burrows told the court.
“The force of the assault pushed me backwards. I guess I staggered a little bit.”
Prosecutor Laura Zubreckyj asked Burrows if she’d considered what the reaction from attendees would be when her group had showed up to criticise Jolly at an event that was intended to celebrate him.
Burrows said she had not expected to be caught in a physical altercation.
“We did consider what would happen … I thought that we would probably be evicted from the venue. I didn’t expect to be punched in the face,” she said.
The alleged victim is the first of 14 witnesses scheduled to give evidence during the four-day hearing before Magistrate Jill Prior.
The charge of unlawful assault carries a maximum penalty of three months’ imprisonment and does not meet the criteria for a “serious offence” under the Local Government Act 2020, meaning Jolly is not automatically stood down and can remain mayor.
The hearing continues.
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