Emma Joy Frew guilty plea, domestic violence, choking, serious assault, Bundaberg

A wildly violent dispute between a woman and her mother-in-law over a handmade baby jumpsuit was “the straw that broke the camel’s back”, a Queensland court has heard.

Emma Joy Frew.

A Queensland woman has been sentenced over a vicious attack on her mother-in-law.

Emma Joy Frew, 33, pleaded guilty in Bundaberg District Court this week to charges of choking/suffocation/strangulation and serious assault of a person over 60.

Both domestic violence charges stem from the same event.

Crown prosecutor Amy Stannard detailed the events of November 1, 2022, when Frew attacked her mother-in-law, in her home.

She said Frew and her mother-in-law were sorting through baby clothes when the latter discovered a jumpsuit made by her daughter in a pile designated for donation.

Upset, the mother-in-law confronted Frew, leading to an argument.

Frew pushed her mother-in-law, “gouged her eyes”, threatened to kill her, and then strangled her, causing her to experience pain and an inability to breathe, the court heard.

The mother-in-law managed to fight Frew off and eventually sat down, but when she attempted to call for help, Frew grabbed her phone and prevented her from doing so.

The victim was later taken to Bundaberg Base Hospital.

Ms Stannard told the court the victim had previously supported Frew financially and medically, often taking her to doctor’s appointments.

The victim had a protection order against Frew, effective until May 1, 2029, the court heard.

It was also told of a previous incident where Frew had choked her and threatened to kill the victim, supported by a statement from the victim’s husband.

Frew’s barrister, Lauren Heaney from Legal Aid, highlighted her client’s ongoing counselling and treatment for anxiety, PTSD, and a mild intellectual disorder since November 2022.

She described the incident before the court as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

She also pointed to a domestic violence counsellor’s report before the court which noted Frew claimed to be in fear of her mother-in-law (who is not accused of any wrongdoing or charged with an offence), said she was controlling and had visited her workplace and spoken to her co-workers about the charges.

Judge Amanda McDonnell noted Frew’s plea followed negotiations where the number of charges was reduced.

Frew was sentenced to two years’ jail, wholly suspended, and was released under the supervision of an authorised corrective services officer.

She is required to receive psychiatric or medical treatment as directed for the next two years.

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