Brunswick Heads woman Catherine Pritchard pleads guilty at Byron Bay Local Court to two counts of DV common assault

The lawyer of a Byron Shire woman who kicked her partner in the head told a court her client was “going through menopause” and struggling to cope. Here’s how the case played out.

Catherine Pritchard outside Byron Bay Court House. She admitted to police her actions were “not OK“ and “not acceptable”.

A remorseful Byron Shire plant nursery worker kicked her partner in the head during an emotional food fight while she was struggling to cope with menopause, a court has heard.

Defence lawyer Natasha Kate Wood told Byron Bay Local Court her client Catherine Pritchard was “going through menopause” at the time and was seeking help to cope.

“It escalated and got to a point where I physically attacked him. It’s true. I lost my s--t,” Pritchard told police, according to court documents.

Catherine Pritchard outside court.

“He might have thrown items towards me, but me grabbing him is not OK … it’s not acceptable.”

The symptoms of menopause, the natural end of a woman’s reproductive cycle, can lead to symptoms including “mood changes”.

“You may feel anxious, upset, sad or angry in more situations,” according to Commonwealth and state funded information service Healthdirect.

But Magistrate Karen Stafford told the court on Monday: “There is a need to deter people from acting this way.”

Byron Bay Police Station

She said the offending was aggravated because it took place in the victim’s home, where he had the right to feel safe, and a relative was home at the time.

“He was throwing things towards you from the fridge – but a kick to the face is a very dangerous action,” Ms Stafford said.

“The brain is a very delicate organ and it can be damaged easily. “

Pritchard, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence-related common assault.

She was arguing with the man about cooking responsibilities at a Brunswick Heads home about 11pm on July 29, police state in court documents.

Pritchard’s partner took food out of the fridge and threw it at her.

“Pritchard kicked him in the face and attacked him further by pulling his beard and trying to pull his hair,” the documents state.

“The victim managed to move behind the kitchen table to create distance between himself and his partner.”

Police were contacted and spoke to Pritchard, who told them she had fought with her partner.

She expressed remorse and told officers she knew her behaviour was not acceptable.

Her partner made a police statement and said he was suffering pain under his left eye. He was wearing glasses at the time of the kick and had a red mark on the bridge of his nose.

Pritchard was arrested and taken to Byron Bay Police Station. An apprehended violence order was put in place.

Police state: “The accused was cooperative with police throughout the interaction.”

Ms Wood told the court Pritchard was extremely remorseful, unlikely to reoffend and had a clean criminal history.

Byron Bay Courthouse

“The family have moved 12 times since the floods,” she said.

“She is going through menopause and is seeking help for coping with this.

“Her partner is Indian and he is worried a conviction will prevent her from visiting family.”

Ms Stafford said Pritchard “made immediate admissions to police” and did not “downplay" her actions.

Pritchard was convicted and sentenced to serve a nine-month community corrections order.

A two-year AVO was also put in place to protect the man.