Seaforth woman Stephanie Jade Tesselaar pleads guilty to pub assault

A Qld woman, jailed in her 20s for causing a fatal crash that killed a young woman, has become a “lost soul” spiralling into booze and drug use.

Fatal crash driver Stephanie Jade Tesselaar pleaded guilty to common assault after she attacked a woman at a Seaforth pub over a spilt drink.

A Seaforth woman, jailed in her 20s for causing a fatal crash that killed a young woman, has become a “lost soul” spiralling into booze and drug use – recently attacking a fellow punter at her local pub over a spilt drink.

But Judge John Coker said even the victim “had nothing to be proud of”, as she repeatedly provoked her attacker and lashed out against a bystander in what he said was a “disgraceful” display captured on CCTV.

“If, as they say, a picture paints a thousand words, then a video paints a million,” Judge Coker said as he was sentencing Stephanie Jade Tesselaar in Mackay District Court.

Then 32, Tesselaar had knocked back way too many at the Seaforth Bowls Club on February 18, 2023, and became angry when another woman accidentally knocked a drink on her.

Tesselaar lashed out thinking it was deliberate and the other woman returned fire, aggressively pointing a finger in Tesselaar’s face – so she violently swiped it away and punched the victim in the face.

Convicted fatal crash driver Stephanie Jade Tesselaar pleaded guilty to common assault after she attacked a woman at a Seaforth pub over a spilt drink.

The footage, played in court, showed the victim kept returning even after the pair were separated, speaking out and pointing a finger in Tesselaar’s face – she also aimed a punch at Tesselaar’s boyfriend.

Tesselaar hit the woman again, causing her to fall and both women tussled on the ground as bystanders tried to pull them apart.

“It’s clear both women engaged in continued and persistent attacks on each other,” Crown prosecutor Monique Sheppard said.

Judge Coker said it was an “absolute disgrace” for everyone involved, adding “and I certainly include the (victim) in that”.

Tesselaar pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault.

The court heard she had a criminal history with two significant entries, including one in 2015 for dangerous driving causing death.

Tesselaar had been 22 and P-plater when, on March 17, 2013, she drove tired and, with a 0.03 BAC, crossed into the wrong lane and crashed into a ute on Yakapari Seaforth Rd about 8.45am.

Stephanie Jade Tesselaar leaves court in 2014 when she was charged with dangerously operating a motor vehicle causing death at Kuttabul in March 2013. Photo Janessa Ekert / Daily Mercury

The collision killed passenger 23-year-old Calliope Fay-Van Heusden, who took her last breath in front of boyfriend Scott Hunter who was the driver.

As a result Tesselaar was jailed for two years and had to spend six months in jail.

The facts were still hard to hear for Tesselaar, now 33, who became emotional in the dock.

The court heard the car crash was a real turning point in Tesselaar’s life and in the aftermath she struggled with anxiety, depression and PTSD.

She “started using ice for the first time as a means of coping” and dealing with feelings of guilt, which escalated to intravenous drug use.

Since her release from jail Tesselaar has lived a dysfunctional and transient life that had involved drinking heavily, including 10 or more standard drinks at least four times a week, and taking drugs.

The court heard her BAC was 0.133 when she lashed out at the women. She was currently unemployed.

“It is clear that you are to some certain degree a lost soul,” Judge Coker said to Tesselaar.

Poppi Fay-Van Heusden and boyfriend Scott Hunter photo: contribute

He said the death of Ms Fay-Van Heusden was a tragedy that “had dreadful consequences for you”.

“The real tragedy … is the way that you have sought to deal with it with … alcohol and the use of serious drugs,” Judge Coker said, also stating he accepted the combination of drugs and alcohol were involved in her conduct at the bowls club.

Before the car crash Judge Coker accepted Tesselaar was someone with “a real future and a real opportunity to provide for yourself and for your community”.

“After the accident occurred however, life spiralled out of control,” he said.

Judge Coker told her if she did not change she would likely come back before the courts.

Ultimately Judge Coker said jail was not appropriate for the assault and ordered Tesselaar complete 18 months probation. Convictions were recorded.