Well-known anti-vaccine advocate sentenced to prison for violent assault on pregnant police officer

A prominent Adelaide anti-vaxxer who scalped a pregnant police officer in a ruthless attack has been jailed after prosecutors won their bid to have her controversial sentence overturned.

Raina Cruise was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for her 2021 assault of a pregnant police officer, Anthea Beck. 

Beck had clumps of hair and scalp torn from her head during the drunken attack, which was captured on police bodycam.

Cruise was found guilty but received a suspended sentence in December.

The Police Association immediately called on the attorney-general to appeal, and this afternoon, prosecutors had the last laugh when Cruise was re-sentenced.

“This sends a very, very clear message that any assault on police officers may see you spend time in jail,” Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.

Defence lawyer Nick Vadasz said Cruise will likely “be very upset and distressed, she wasn’t expecting to go to jail”.

She will be eligible to apply for parole in two years.