Former Wallaroo, teacher Tricia Elizabeth Brown in court over car vandalism

“Cheater”: A three-time Australian Rugby World Cup player’s wild revenge on a man after a feud about her partner has landed her in court.

Tricia Elizabeth Brown is a former member of the Australian women’s national rugby team the Wallaroos. Picture: Facebook/Classic Wallabies

A three-time Australian Rugby World Cup player’s wild revenge on a man after a feud about her partner has landed her in court.

Tricia Elizabeth Brown, 45, scratched the word “cheater” into the side of a car owned by the man, who Pine Rivers Magistrate Court heard was a fellow North Lakes triathlon club member.

The court heard that at 4am on May 1, 2024, the man and another person parked in his car at the North Lakes swimming pool carpark on Little Burke St, before the two of them went for a run.

The Police prosecutor told the court the pair returned to the car at 6am to find the word “cheater” scratched onto a rear driver’s side panel.

“It appeared to the victim that a key or similar object had been used to create the damage,” the prosecutor said.

Former Australian rugby player Tricia Brown. PICTURE: FILE

“The victim has taken photographs and provided them to police.”

The court heard On May 4, 2024, the witness exchanged a series of text messages and a phone conversation with Brown, where Brown admitted she was responsible for the wilful damage.

“During the conversation, the defendant told the witness her head was in a spin, her anxiety was high at the time of carrying out the act,” the prosecutor said.

“At 12.38pm on May 20, 2024, the defendant attended North Lakes police station.

“The defendant was offered the opportunity to participate in an interview, but she declined.”

The victim sought restitution to the amount of $2534.40.

Brown’s Lawyer Andrew Stewart told the court that all parties involved in the offending were involved in a triathlon and running club in North Lakes.

Mr Stewart told the court Brown was a former teacher who ‘taught for some time’, with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Queensland.

Brown, born in Mildura, is a former member of the Australian Women’s National Rugby Team the Wallaroos, representing Australia in three Women’s Rugby World Cups — 2006 in Canada, 2010 in England and 2014 in France.

Brown’s Lawyer Andrew Stewart told the court that all parties involved in the offending are involved in a triathlon and running club in North Lakes. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The court also heard that Brown had been in a relationship with a lady for sometime.

“The victim of this charge was trying to intervene in this relationship,” Mr Stewart said.

“Effectively she had a moment of madness, she went out scratched the car and was immediately remorseful.

“She (Brown) told her friend she had done it and entered a guilty plea today.

“She’s never been before the courts before.”

Mr Stewart told the court Brown wasn’t married and worked as a sales representative for a company called Training Camp and had worked there for 15 years.

“She has no real family support in this area, her family are from Victoria ,” Mr Stewart said.

“She does suffer from anxiety and depression but isn’t medicated at the moment.

“She’s physically fit and isn’t on any other medications.”

Magistrate Annette Hennessey placed Brown on a six-month good behaviour bond, with a $600 recognisance.

Brown must also pay restitution of $2534.40 within 28 days.

A conviction was not recorded.

“I take into account you showed immediate remorse, have qualifications as a teacher and suffer from some anxiety and depression,” Magistrate Hennessey said.

“I also take into account the content of your references, which speak very well of you and most particularly, not having a previous criminal conviction in your history.”