Julie Pender: Doonside woman sentenced for domestic violence assault in Narooma

A woman who yelled “I’m going to kill you” after repeatedly punching her older brother in the face has been sentenced.

A woman yelled “I’m going to kill you” after repeatedly bashing her older brother during what was supposed to be a family Christmas get together, a court has heard.

Julie Pender, 48, of Doonside, has pleaded guilty to assaulting her brother at his Narooma home in December of last year.

Documents tendered to Downing Centre Local Court lay out how the brutal assault took place, beginning with Pender visiting her brother on December 23 with the intention of spending Christmas at his house.

That night Pender and her brother Robert Pender drank together before Mr Pender went upstairs to lie down at 10:30pm, court documents reveal.

“Both parties continued in conversation when, according to the victim, Pender’s demeanour changed suddenly (and) she became verbally hostile,” court documents state.

Generic domestic violence graphic.

“In an unprovoked assault … (Pender) then punched him three times with a closed fist to the mouth and right cheek which caused him pain.”

These punches caused Mr Pender’s lower lip and right cheek to swell up and caused him significant pain, the court heard.

During the assault, Pender also yelled, “I’m going to kill you”, according to agreed police facts.

Court documents state Pender’s brother did not retaliate — instead choosing to flee his house and take refuge in a nearby friend’s home.

“The victim states that he believed Pender left his premises at this point and most likely have returned to her address in Doonside,” court documents state.

According to agreed police facts, at 11:46pm, the victim received a text message from Pender’s mobile number. The text message read: “good luck in court maggot suppena come quicker than u know”.

Pender was sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: Nikki Short

At Downing Centre Local Court, Magistrate Michael Barko asked whether reconciliation with Pender’s brother would ever be possible.

Pender said it would not and revealed she has issues with other members of her family. “He’s hurt me deeply, your honour,” Pender told the court.

But Magistrate Barko said her brother is “her blood” and told the court “every family has their issues”.

“You have an issue with your brother and other siblings. You can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends,” Magistrate Barko said.

Magistrate Barko also noted Pender’s lengthy criminal history. “You’ve got to learn to control yourself,” he warned.

For her assault, Pender was placed on a 12 month community corrections order. She is also not allowed to be in the presence of her brother when intoxicated or on drugs.