Byron Shire’s Belinda Suzanne Van Oosten pleads guilty to attacking 80-year-old mum twice in one day
A Byron Shire woman viciously attacked her elderly mum – “punching” her in the head and stomach before putting her hands over the 80-year-old’s mouth and “grabbing her around the neck”, a court heard.
Regional News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Regional News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Suffolk Park woman attacked her elderly mother – “punching” her in the head and stomach before putting her hands over the 80-year-old’s mouth and “grabbing her around the neck” in a horrific case of family violence.
Belinda Suzanne Van Oosten, 50, also threatened her mum and forced the victim to lock herself in the garage of her own home for protection, Byron Bay Local Court heard.
Oosten pleaded guilty in the court on August 6 to assault causing actual bodily harm, breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO) and resisting police.
The senior citizen was sitting down taking a phone call at home about 10am on July 14. Oosten had been living with her for a few years, police state in court documents.
She approached the older woman in a “furious” manner and the pair had a “heated argument”.
Police state in the documents Oosten attacked the victim by “punching” her in the head and stomach before putting her hands over the victims mouth and “grabbing her around the neck”.
She dug her fingernails into the victim’s arm and caused bleeding before another person came home and dialled triple-0 for help.
Police arrested Oosten and took her to the Byron Bay Police Station, while officers called paramedics to tend to the victim.
Officers advised Oosten of the AVO and she was released, but a few hours later Oosten breached the order when she became “highly intoxicated” and yelled at the victim about the earlier events.
The elderly woman feared for her safety and locked herself in the garage as Oosten banged and kicked on the door, police facts continue.
Police were called by neighbours, who heard Oosten screaming.
Officers who attended found Oosten “slurring” her speech and “highly emotional”, drooling and speaking slowly.
“While talking to police, the accused tried to drink red wine, which was tipped out by police,” the documents state.
Officers had to pull Oosten out of bed to arrest her because she refused to follow directions and announced she was going to sleep. She was eventually taken to the police station.
Magistrate Karen Stafford ordered a sentence assessment report and the case was adjourned to September 17.
More Coverage
Originally published as Byron Shire’s Belinda Suzanne Van Oosten pleads guilty to attacking 80-year-old mum twice in one day
Police allege drugs, guns, ammo linked to crime group
A man in his 60s has faced a Mid-North Coast court on a long list of drug and gun charges. Police allege they found an illicit haul linked to a criminal group.
Read more
Foundation serves up ‘little bit of hope’ in cost of living crisis
The founder of an Indigenous food program dishing out meals across the Northern Rivers says he’s keeping a promise to his grandfather to keep “feeding our people - not just with food, but with hope”.
Read more