Pregnant Dalby woman faces court over assault on ex’s new partner

A woman broke down crying in Dalby court as she listened to the violent assault she inflicted on another woman that involved her punching her ex’s current partner in the head repeatedly.

Silhouette of pregnant woman. Picture: istock

A pregnant Dalby woman was taken into custody after she attacked her ex-partner’s current girlfriend by punching her repeatedly in the head after an argument broke out between the pair.

Police prosecutor Derek Brady told Dalby Magistrates Court that on February 3 the 41-year-old woman attended the home of her ex-partner in Dalby, before asking if she could speak with his current girlfriend in a room privately.

The woman claimed she had begun “spotting” due to pregnancy and asked her ex’s partner for a pad privately in the room, however things got heated when the new girlfriend declined.

Sergeant Brady said the woman began to punch the girlfriend in the face.

“She grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the ground, then she got on top of her and continued punching,” he said.

While the prosecutor read the details the woman, who appeared by video link, began crying.

“(Her ex) came into the room and separated them and told her to leave but she refused,” Sergeant Brady said.

The court was told the victim suffered a large cut above her eye as well as scratches to the face before the police were called and the attacker locked herself in the bedroom.

Defence lawyer Julia Molloy said her client who had been in custody since February 4, had only attended her ex’s house to pick up some of her belongings.

“It agitated her further as her daughter was in the room at the time,” she said.

“(Her ex) pinned her down and there’s photographs of her injuries, she didn’t come out unscathed physically.”

Ms Molloy said her client needed extra support after a tragic family loss last year.

Magistrate Kyna Morice acknowledged while the woman had a criminal history, it was unrelated to the current offending.

“You have spent a lot of time away from the courts, which shows you can become a contributing member of the community and get something positive out of these orders,” she said.

The woman pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing bodily harm, breach of bail and contravening a domestic violence order.

She was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and released from jail.