Eliza Kovats: Former boutique Bondi realtor ‘embarrassed’ after drunkenly attacking husband

A former real estate agent at a boutique Eastern Suburbs agency cruelly tormented her husband in the hours after he lost a loved one, before assaulting him in their Nyngan home.

A former boutique Eastern Suburbs real estate agent has escaped punishment for a shocking drunken assault on her grieving husband just three months into their marriage.

Eliza Sara Jane Anne Kovats was supported by her father in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday where she pleaded guilty to common assault and intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property.

Documents tendered in court said the victim told police Kovats, 32, had been “increasing her alcohol consumption” in the months leading up to the incident on Tuesday, September 12, this year, which led her to become aggressive and abusive over “minor issues”.

Eliza Kovats appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: LinkedIn

The extent of the domestic violence escalated to a point where the man was forced to sleep in his car outside their Nyngan address to avoid being attacked by Kovats.

The court heard in the evening before the assault, the victim had told Kovats he was travelling interstate following the death of a loved one, however, he did not want her to come due to her recent behaviour and “conflict with family members”.

The victim returned home from work in the early hours of September 12 and tried to go to sleep on the lounge, but Kovats repeatedly yelled about why she couldn’t go to the funeral.

The court documents said Kovats told the victim “How does it feel knowing you’re going to be divorced for the second time?” and “I’ve spoken to your ex and she thinks you’re a c**t too”.

The victim started recording Kovats on her phone as she tried to “squeeze” and “restrain” him while also grabbing hold of his hair and face.

She demanded the victim stop recording her as she repeatedly hit and pushed her husband while following him around the house before throwing herself on the ground in an apparent attempt to make it appear she had been struck.

Kovats ripped the curtains down and pushed her husband’s head against a wall multiple times before he was able to call police.

Officers arrived at the home to find an “intoxicated and combative” Kovats who was arrested and taken to Nyngan Police Station where she made “numerous unreported instances of domestic violence” before refusing to elaborate.

In court, Kovats’ lawyer Lucy Maher explained her client’s behaviour was “perhaps out of character” and she had completed a five-day detox at Wollongong Hospital and was on a waitlist for full time rehabilitation at a centre in Sydney.

“As she reflects on her marriage with a clear mind after completing detox, both parties in the marriage acted poorly and she accepts her role in the demise of the marriage,” Ms Maher said.

“She does indicate remorse and embarrassment in the way she has acted.”

Ms Maher listed a “combination of factors” contributing to her demise including moving from Sydney to Nyngan to support her husband and leaving behind a career working in real estate.

Magistrate Phillip Steward heard Kovats had returned to Bondi and accepted the defence’s submissions, noting her clean record and “the steps taken” in combating her alcohol issues.

The magistrate said it was “appropriate to record a conviction”, however, he was satisfied it wasn’t necessary before handing Kovats a nine-month conditional release order.