Frances Irene Rewald in court over alleged coerced violent robbery

A Bundaberg mother-of-four suffered vile abuse at the hands of her former partner before joining him in a robbery which left one woman seriously injured, a court has been told. DETAILS

Frances Rewald was sentenced in Bundaberg District Court after a violent robbery left one woman bruised and battered.

A Bundaberg mother-of-four was allegedly coerced into participating in a violent robbery which left a victim bloodied and bruised.

On the morning of June 17, 2021, Frances Irene Rewald, 34, returned home from hospital after a violent altercation with her then partner, D’Khoada Walton, left her with injuries which required surgery, a court has been told.

When she arrived home to pack some belongings and return for surgery, Walton, whom she had a domestic violence order against, was waiting for her; he allegedly spat on Rewald and assaulted her again.

The court heard Walton had recently stolen a large sum of money from another woman known to him and wanted the mother-of-four to steal the rest of it for him.

Later that day, Rewald, Walton and a second woman allegedly set upon the victim at her home.

The court heard the Bundaberg mother kicked the woman in the head as she demanded she hand over a bag believed to contain the remaining cash.

Rewald pulled the bag from the woman, which broke the straps in the process.

She fled the scene, and the woman was left with bruises all over her body.

On June 20, 2021, police questioned the 34-year-old mother on her involvement in the violent robbery, when she denied participating in.

She was charged with one count of robbery accompanied by personal violence.

Rewald’s defence lawyer, Rachel Hew, said Rewald’s decision to participate in the robbery should be considered in the broader context of abuse she endured at Walton’s hands.

The previous day, on June 16, 2021, the then 30-year-old left a friend’s property in an attempt to get away from Walton who had become increasingly violent, the court heard.

The mother of four returned to her home and locked the door.

Walton allegedly showed up shortly after and yelled at the Rewald to open the door; when she refused, he kicked in the door.

Ms Hew told the court that Rewald, who was behind the door was hit in the face, and left bloodied with a gash from her nose to mouth which required surgery; she sustained cuts and bruising to her eyes.

Walton then allegedly pushed his way through the broken door and grabbed Rewald; his tirade only came to an end when a passer-by called out to the pair.

Ms Hew told the court, Walton, who was sentenced in relation to the violent robbery in 2022, had previously poured petrol over the 34-year-old, broken her nose, cut her wrist, spat at her, and squeezed her neck until she bled from the throat.

Frances Irene Rewald pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery involving personal violence in Bundaberg District Court.

She previously received surgery on her legs for injuries she sustained in another alleged domestic violence assault.

After the robbery on June 17, Walton threatened the mother-of-four to tell the court the injuries she suffered were self-inflicted, the court was told.

Judge Nicholas Andreatidis said Walton told the 34-year-old she would be “going to the bone yard” if she refused.

Despite this, Mr Andreatidis said Rewald had extensive relevant history and has previously served time for a number of stealing and drug offences spanning a decade.

Most recently Rewald served 35 days in prison after being sentenced in Bundaberg Magistrates Court for a burglary and stealing charge in 2024.

Frances Rewald was sentenced in Bundaberg District Court on Tuesday. The mother had endured significant abuse at the hands of her partner.

In relation to the 2021 robbery, the court heard the Bundaberg mother was on parole at the time of the offending, although Mr Andreatidis said he accepted the ongoing domestic violence Rewald endured had added significant pressure to the Bundaberg mother’s actions on the day.

In handing down his sentence, he urged Rewald to stay away from people like Walton and said she was at a crossroads.

“You have the potential to turn your life around,” he said

“Make that choice”.

Rewald was sentenced to two years in prison which were wholly suspended.