Darusila Edwards pleads guilty to assaulting mistress at Caloundra bus interchange

A Sunshine Coast woman has unleashed her fury with her fingernails during a frenzied attack on an old friend following an affair between the woman and her husband.

Darusila Edwards leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday. Picture: Sam Turner

A Sunshine Coast woman has been fined after she unleashed a violent attack with her nails on an old friend who was having an affair with her husband.

Darusila Edwards told police she could not contain her anger after finding her partner’s girlfriend on his bus at the Caloundra bus interchange, leaving the victim with scratches to her face and arms.

The 44-year-old accepted her guilt in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday following her plea to one count of assault.

Police prosecutor James Allen said Edwards’ husband was working as a bus driver while the victim was riding along his bus as a passenger on the morning of July 16.

The court heard Edwards’ husband was having an affair with the victim at the time. Edwards and the woman had been friends for several years.

Mr Allen said the 44-year-old called her husband and asked if they wanted to have lunch together, however the bus driver said he was spending time with the victim.

Edwards after her sentence. Picture: Sam Turner

Later that morning about 11.40am, the husband and the victim were at a cafe along Bulcock St at Caloundra when Edwards approached them and started to abuse the victim.

Mr Allen said the victim left to wait on the husband’s bus until he returned.

The court was told the husband returned about noon, however Edwards was with him as well.

At the sight of her friend on the bus, Edwards became enraged and started to strike at the woman’s head with her hands.

Mr Allen said the woman suffered scratches to her faces and arms, with at least two strikes catching the woman’s face. She pushed Edwards back however a struggle ensued.

The husband eventually separated the two women in his life from fighting, with the victim calling police.

She pleaded guilty to one charge. Picture: Sam Turner

Paramedics arrived and treated the woman to scratches to her face and arm.

Edwards spoke to police and said she was aware her husband was having an affair with the victim and travelled to the cafe to speak to him.

She admitted to being overcome with anger at the sight of the woman on the bus but said she did not use a closed fist but rather her nails to scratch the woman.

Edwards was later charged with assault.

Defence lawyer Adam Moschella said the attack was out of character and came about due to “emotional stressors” from the situation.

Mr Moschella told the court Edwards had sought rehabilitation, with the court hearing she had no criminal history. She was also undergoing marriage counselling.

Acting magistrate Raelene Ellis fined the Palmwoods woman $1200, with no conviction recorded.