Susan Gonulalan: Craigieburn woman who hit boyfriend in freedom bid

A Craigieburn woman who sent “Hey slut, come and pick up your son - I’ve just hit him with my car,” to her ex’s mum, has faced court.

Police said that Susan Gonulalan, 28, was a “psychological and physical” risk to her ex-boyfriend and his mother. Picture: Ellen Smith

A Craigieburn woman who hit her ex-boyfriend with a car and violently assaulted his mother has been denied bail

Susan Gonulalan, 28, made a bid for freedom in the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after she was jailed for a series of combative encounters with her former boyfriend and his mother in December last year.

Police argued that Gonulalan was “controlling, manipulative and psychologically abusive,” and that she should be kept behind bars until the severity of her offences was ruled on.

But Gonulalan’s mother, Sati Gurlaz, said that her daughter’s ex was an abusive drug addict, and that all her daughter’s offences had been preceded by extensive domestic violence.

The court heard that on December 20, Gonulalan drove her car into the garage of her ex’s mother, before she reversed her car and drove into the victim’s car.

Police said that on the following day Gonulalan was having an argument with her ex in her car, which caused him to get out of the car and begin to walk away.

The court was told that Gonulalan drove her car into the victim at speed and caused him to “flip” in the air - a point that is disputed by Gonulalan, who said she only “nudged” him.

What wasn’t disputed by Gonulalan was the text message sent to the man’s mother immediately after the incident, where she said: “Hey slut, come and pick up your son - I’ve just hit him with my car.”

Prosecution witness Senior Constable Christine Croxford told the court that in December 2018 Gonulalan arrived at the address of her ex’s mother where, after being allowed in, the two became embroiled in an argument.

“If I kill you now no one would know,” Gonulalan told the victim.

Ultimately, police argued that Gonulalan had “no regard” for court orders, and that she would continue to inflict “psychological and physical harm.”

Sati Gurlaz said that her daughter was the victim of a car accident 10 years ago, which led to significant behavioural problems in her daughter.

Ms Gurlaz told the court that the victim was an abusive boyfriend who had subjected her daughter to physical violence and manipulation.

She said that her daughter was now on a steady course of medication, which had significantly improved her mental state.

Ennes Marcellus, for Gonulalan, reaffirmed that the relationship between the parties had been “very violent.”

Magistrate Urfa Masood ultimately decided that it was not appropriate to release Gonulalan on bail.

The matter will proceed to contest mention on April 5.