Melanie Moller sentenced to home detention for violent assault on lover and his neighbours

A woman bashed her lover in a fit of rage before viciously attacking his female neighbour, during the violent onslaught.

A woman bashed her lover in a fit of rage before viciously attacking his neighbour, including slamming her head into the ground.

Melanie Nicolette Moller, 48, narrowly avoided jail after she launched the “impulsive, violent and unprovoked” attacks.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Moller’s relationship with the first victim, Wally Bolt had ended but they continued their sexual relationship.

Moller attended Mr Bolt’s Strathalbyn home on February 1, 2023 and became aggressive with him.

“You proceeded to attack Mr Bolt,” Judge Anne Barnett said.

Melanie Moller was sentenced to home detention for serious criminal trespass and assaults. Picture: File

The court heard Moller punched Mr Bolt in the head, kicked him, threw him into the walls and spat in his face.

Mr Bolt then escaped to the neighbour’s house and asked them to call police.

Moller followed him inside the house, with Mr Bolt returning to his house and locking the doors.

“You then entered the neighbouring premises where the second and third victim, Ross Evans and Joanne Scott were present,” Judge Barnett said.

“Ms Scott is the carer of Mr Evans.”

Moller began threatening them and stormed towards Ms Scott who closed the hallway door.

“You proceeded to force your way through the door and you attacked Ms Scott,” Judge Barnett said.

“In the course of your attack on her, you shoved her, bit her on the back of her right shoulder, left breast, right thumb and middle finger leaving tooth marks and causing bruising and breaking the skin.”

Moller then began to pull Ms Scott’s hair and slammed her head on the ground at least 30 times before spitting in her mouth and face.

Police arrived and arrested Moller, while Ms Scott was transported to hospital where she received treatment for her injuries, including wounds to her face and hands.

Moller pleaded guilty to multiple counts of assault and serious criminal trespass.

The court heard Moller, who experienced a severely traumatic childhood, turned to illicit drug use.

A psychologist formed the opinion that Moller suffered from a mental health crisis at the time of the offending due to her belief of being rejected by Mr Bolt.

Judge Barnett described Moller’s offending as “impulsive, violent and unprovoked” and sentenced her to three years and four months jail, with a non-parole period of 18 months.
She was ordered to serve the sentence on home detention.