Natalie Stauber: Mum, NDIS worker punches stranger at Surfers bar

A mum and NDIS support worker has been caught on camera smacking another woman in the face at a Surfers Paradise venue, with her explanation for the attack now revealed in court.

A mum and NDIS support worker claims she punched a stranger in the face at a Surfers Paradise bar after the other woman made racist comments towards her friend.

Natalie Tenina Stauber was with several friends in the smoking area outside the venue at about 4am on February 12 when another woman entered, taking a chair from the group’s table.

Natalie Stauber's altercation with and one-punch assault on another woman at a Surfers Paradise bar was captured on CCTV footage.

CCTV footage played in Southport Magistrates Court showed a verbal exchange between the woman and Stauber’s friends before Stauber herself stepped in, leaning in closely as their argument became more heated.

Natalie Stauber's altercation with and one-punch assault on another woman at a Surfers Paradise bar was captured on CCTV footage.

Stauber then punched the still-seated woman in the face before walking away with her friends.

Defence solicitor Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said Stauber confronted the victim after she made a racial insult towards her friend and told her to “get out of the country”.

Natalie Stauber's altercation with and one-punch assault on another woman at a Surfers Paradise bar was captured on CCTV footage.

“She takes the chair deliberately away from one of my client’s friends, who is of Asian descent, and just sits there and stares at them before saying some really choice words,” Mr Sarabi said.

“The complainant actually works in law … (according to) her statement, so I suggest (she) should know better than to say things such as that, being perhaps somewhat educated.”

The court was told Stauber was an NDIS support worker and single mum who also cared for her mother and had only one dated prior conviction for a similar assault charge.

Natalie Stauber leaving court alongside lawyer Farshad Sarabi. Picture: Jessica Paul

Stauber was also sentenced for receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying after she and another person were seen dumping a pillowcase with about $71,000 in cash in a laundromat dryer.

Magistrate Jane Bentley said Stauber’s victim did not appear to be in much pain and that there was some provocation, but that punching someone in the face remained unacceptable.

Stauber pleaded guilty to common assault and the unrelated charge.

She was fined $2000 for both offences.

Originally published as Natalie Stauber: Mum, NDIS worker punches stranger at Surfers bar