Rhonda Bell applies for bail in Batemans Bay Court after breaching an intensive correction order

A young mother with a “slowly growing” criminal history has returned to court, applying for bail after allegedly breaching the conditions of a sentence with an act of intimidation.

Rhonda Bell applied for bail at the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

A magistrate has warned a young mother’s criminal history is “slowly growing” during her bid for bail after she allegedly intimidated a woman with a reckless driving act.

Rhonda Bell, 24, appeared before the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday handcuffed in the dock, after the Moruya woman allegedly broke an intensive correction order by intimidating someone she assaulted in the past.

Bell was charged with contravening an apprehended violence order, driving dangerously and furiously, as well as stalking and intimidating.

The 24-year-old pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday.

The court heard on October 19, Bell was allegedly driving a Toyota RAV4 northbound on Evans St, Moruya when she saw someone known to her drive past.

Rhonda Bell’s case was heard in the Batemans Bay Local Court.

Bell allegedly swerved off the road, frightening the other driver, who soon after contacted police, fearing her safety due to previous incidents.

The court heard Bell was charged and placed into custody the same evening.

It was also heard the alleged intimidation occurred months after Bell received an intensive correction order for storming the Batemans Bay Dominos on May 8, 2023, assaulting a number of workers.

During Bell’s bid for bail, Magistrate Doug Dick said her criminal history was growing.

Bell’s lawyer, Wayne Boom, said his client was following the intensive correction order and labelled the alleged driving manoeuvre a “coincidence”, saying there was a “spider in the car” which frightened Bell, who then swerved.

He submitted bail should be granted as Bell would reside in a different suburb to the complainant.

“A condition would be that [Bell] could not enter Moruya unless for court or police purposes,” he said.

Mr Boom also submitted that Bell was a young mother and saw her child once a week.

“It’s important for her to continue this,” he said.

However, the prosecutor opposed bail, noting Bell’s “violent” criminal history, previously breached bail orders and the fact she was serving an intensive correction order.

However, Mr Dick said the risks of Bell’s offending would be “better mitigated” if she was out on bail.

Bell’s bail conditions state she cannot commit any crimes, visit Moruya unless for court or police purposes and must visit the Batemans Bay Police Station once a week.

Bell’s case was adjourned for hearing at the Moruya Local Court on December 13.

Got a news tip? Email us at [e-mail]