Renee Ryan: Wellington woman charged with assault

A magistrate has issued a stern warning to a former nurse from the NSW western region after a violent act towards her ex-partner when the two were supposed to be celebrating the new year.

Renee Ryan leaving Wellington Courthouse.

A former nurse in the NSW western region has been caught throwing a can towards her ex-partner’s head and making him bleed during recent New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Renee Ryan, 45, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm after she was arrested and charged in January 2023.

A court heard Ryan and her ex-partner were in an on and off intimate relationship for approximately 15 years and have a child as a result of the relationship together.

Agreed police facts tendered to Wellington Local Court reveal an intoxicated Ryan threw an empty tin can and hit the crown of her ex-partner’s head in the course of an argument during the celebrations at about 10pm.

The victim stated the strike caused blood to drip from the area, resulting in him contacting the police for assistance.

“The victim was slightly intoxicated, very vague and reluctant to talk to the police about what had taken place, however the victim supplied police with certain information that proved a domestic violence incident had taken place,” the facts state.

At Wellington Local Court on January 17, her solicitor Ms Sherieff told the court Ryan had committed a “spontaneous” act motivated by her intoxication.

“She displays good recognition of the issue and is looking to move forward,” Ms Sherieff said.

“She instructs me she regrets the offending.”

The court heard Ryan has anxiety and an alcohol abuse issue that has been recently triggered by the loss of her mother.

Ryan was also said to be pursuing counselling and an alcohol and drug program.

Magistrate Emma Manea had stern words for Ryan as she convicted her, fined her $800 and placed her on a community corrections order with supervision for 18 months.

“This is very serious, it’s clear that you need to deal with grief in other ways and continue to be supervised,” Ms Manea told Ryan.

“It’s fortunate that it didn’t cause further damage.”

A criminal history tendered to the court revealed Ryan had been convicted for failing to appear in court, received a 12-month community corrections order for common assault and fined $200 for resisting a police officer in February 2021.

She was also sentenced to a three-month disqualification of her license and a $650 fine in November 2021 for mid-range drink driving.

Ryan was also already subject to a 12-month community corrections order made in October 2022 for resisting a police officer.