A Gold Coast mother, Belinda Goodwin, is demanding an apology after her arrest over an unpaid petrol bill, which occurred in front of her neighbours and her 12-year-old daughter, Summer. Arrested in her underwear, Goodwin was taken from her apartment by police for not attending a court hearing related to a $58 fuel charge at a 7 Eleven. The incident stemmed from her inability to pay at the time due to a malfunctioning Apple Pay app, despite her assurances to return with the money.
Goodwin, who believed that paying the bill would resolve the matter, stated, “I open the door, and I was like, literally naked. And, they just said, ‘Can you put something on? We’re going to come and sit and talk to you’.” The arrest, captured on video by Summer, shows Goodwin being forcibly removed from her home, pleading with the officers and questioning her daughter’s care, “You’re going to leave my child here?”
Neighbour Jenny, who cared for Summer during the incident, described the police action as “completely over the top… so aggressive. You would think she’s a murderer or something.” Summer, distressed and alone, was reassured by an officer, “Your room is all unlocked, you’re able to stay by yourself, you’re 12 years old. OK?”
Goodwin, upon her release, expressed her desire for an apology: “I want a public apology. I want them to come here and apologise to my neighbours. I want them to apologise to my daughter.” Summer echoed this sentiment, “I just want them to say sorry like they shouldn’t have done that.”
The Queensland Police, however, defended their actions, stating that the officer’s conduct was “considered, appropriate and lawful” and that Goodwin became obstructive upon being advised of her arrest. They clarified that the unpaid fuel bill was not the sole reason for their visit.
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