Self-defence claims: Rae Schlederer pleads guilty at Ballina Local Court to hitting ex with wine bottle, breaching AVO

The owner of a Lennox Head cleaning business repeatedly hit her ex-partner in the head with a wine bottle, breaching an AVO. She told a North Coast court she was simply defending herself.

Schlederer leaving Byron Bay Local Court after previously being sentenced for setting her car on fire for an $18k insurance payout. She has now been sentenced for domestic violence, which the court heard was self-defence related.

The owner of a Lennox Head cleaning business repeatedly hit her former partner in the head with a wine bottle, causing him to bleed profusely, a North Coast court heard.

A magistrate noted she was “acting in self-defence”, but “went too far”.

The domestic violence incident breached an apprehended violence order (AVO) placed on Rae Schlederer, 40, to protect the man.

Schlederer outside Byron Bay Court House.

Schlederer pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court to assault causing actual bodily harm and the order breach.

She previously faced court for torching her car for an $18,900 insurance pay out, as well as high-range drink driving.

Police facts tendered to the court state the victim spoke to Schlederer about her drinking about 7.30pm on June 17.

Schlederer denied wrongdoing and the man said he was leaving her.

“During a physical altercation, she (Schlederer) stuck the victim on the side of the head and jaw with a glass bottle,” police state.

“This caused immediate pain to the victim, who started bleeding profusely.”

Schlederer also hit the victim with a mobile phone, the court was told.

When the man went to the bathroom to get a towel to tend to wounds, Schlederer snatched it away and exclaimed: “Give me my money.”

The victim tried to clean himself up in the bathroom and was intercepted by Schlederer. Picture: File

The man dialled triple-0 and drove himself to Ballina District Hospital for treatment.

“He sustained a 3cm wound to the right side of his head, a large bruise to the top of his head and injuries inside his mouth,” police state.

Schlederer then sent text messages threatening the man while he was in hospital.

“C--t you are doing time for this. I’m not going to lie for you anymore,” she messaged.

Police arrived at the hospital to get a statement from the man and he gave officers his house key so they could enter.

Police knocked on the front door several times, but Schlederer would not open it.

Police let themselves into the house when Schlederer refused to open up the door. Picture: File

They let themselves in with the key and found Schlederer hiding under a bed.

She was arrested and told police she acted in self-defence.

She was taken to Ballina Police Station, where she refused to show police her face.

Officers went back to the home and found the man’s blood near the bathroom and on the front driveway.

Defence lawyer Sally McPherson told the court Schlederer ran a cleaning business and suggested she be sentenced to a community-based penalty.

“The victim returned to the house to get his belongings and had moved out a week before … there was an argument that night about money,” she said.

The court heard Schlederer was traumatised after experiencing DV herself. Picture: File

Ms McPherson said there “was bruising” inflicted when Schlederer was taken into custody, where she spent several nights on remand.

The lawyer told the court: “She has a history of trauma and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) from enduring abuse by her former partner”.

Magistrate Karen Stafford said using a bottle as a weapon was very serious as it could shatter.

“Objectively, you were acting in self-defence, but you went too far … the threat was influenced by what happened in your past,” she said.

Ballina Courthouse. Picture: Savannah Pocock

“The late pleas and text messages you sent to the victim after makes me question your remorse.”

“The assault breached an AVO with an act of violence. It was in place to protect him … I’m very concerned about the escalation of your offending.

“Community corrections orders have not stopped your reoffending. What would be the point of putting you on another one if you keep breaking court orders?”

Ms Stafford acknowledged Schlederer attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and sought the help of a psychologist.

On February 8, Schlederer was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month supervised intensive correction order with 80 hours of community service work.

Originally published as Self-defence claims: Rae Schlederer pleads guilty at Ballina Local Court to hitting ex with wine bottle, breaching AVO