Wife’s attack on former deputy chief minister

FORMER deputy chief minister Willem Westra van Holthe carried his estranged wife kicking and flailing out of their Waterfront apartment after she allegedly called his new partner an “Asian whore” and assaulted him with a lamp, a court has heard

Jennifer Westra van Holthe (blue dress) leaving Darwin Local Court after being charged with aggravated assault.

• Wille Westra van Holthe speaks about marriage breakdown amid Facbook storm
• Former NT deputy chief minister Willem Westra van Holthe’s wife Jennifer not guilty of aggravated assault against him

FORMER deputy chief minister Willem Westra van Holthe carried his estranged wife kicking and flailing out of their Waterfront apartment after she allegedly called his new partner an “Asian whore” and assaulted him with a lamp, a court has heard.

Jennifer Westra van Holthe yesterday pleaded not guilty to a single count of aggravated assault stemming from the confrontation on October 30 last year.

Prosecutors allege Mr Westra van Holthe suffered harm, including minor grazing, and that Mrs Westra van Holthe used an offensive weapon, “namely a lamp and an umbrella”.

Mr Westra van Holthe was granted permission to not give evidence, saying it would harm his already dicey relationship with his three adult sons, two of whom he said barely speak with him.

The former mines minister told the court he and his lawyer Peter Maley had each written to prosecutor Bronwyn Haack and senior DPP management asking, unsuccessfully, for the charges to be withdrawn.

“I’ve got three sons all in their mid 20s, most of our conversations are along the lines of ‘what’s going on with the court case Dad, why can’t you drop it?’” he said.

Mr and Mrs Westra van Holthe remain legally married but are negotiating a property settlement and a divorce. The court previously heard lengthy tracts of security camera footage taken at Parliament House after the alleged assault would be tendered as evidence.

But yesterday, Local Court Judge John Neill said evidence from Parliament House would not be allowed because it was “irrelevant” to the charged act at the Waterfront.

The only witness to take the stand in the first day of an expected two-day trial was tradesman Johnathan Brandon, who was at the apartment installing a TV.

He said Mrs Westra van Holthe said: “Where is she? I know she’s here ... the f-ing Asian whore,” referring to Mr Westra van Holthe’s new de facto partner.

After Mr Westra van Holthe locked her out of the apartment, Mr Brandon said Mrs Westra van Holthe demanded to be let back in to collect a suitcase and keys.

He said Mr Westra van Holthe then threw the keys and suitcase over the balcony.

“He said: ‘I’m throwing your keys and your suitcase off the balcony’ which he did,” Mr Brandon said, adding Mr Westra van Holthe was “pretty calm” during the confrontation and “a bit embarrassed” afterwards.

Mr Westra van Holthe was sacked from cabinet in February and lost the stronghold seat of Katherine at the August election.

The case, before Judge John Neill, continues today.

Originally published as Wife’s attack on former deputy chief minister