Michael Joseph Schofield to be sentenced on domestic violence charges

A Hobart real-estate agent who swerved his car in front of his former wife’s vehicle told police he was having a diabetic episode at the time of the offence. DETAILS >>

The Hobart Magistrates Court. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE. File / generic / court / law / legal / crime

A Hobart real-estate agent who swerved his car in front of his former wife’s vehicle told police he was having a diabetic episode at the time of the offence.

Former Edwards Windsor agent Michael Joseph Schofield, 56, appeared in Hobart Magistrates Court for sentencing on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Bunewat Keo told the court that in October 2021, Schofield had been served with a police order which stated he must not damage any property owned by the woman.

But on April 10, 2022, while Schofield’s wife’s work car was parked at a friend’s property, Schofield placed a nail under the front right tyre of the vehicle.

Schofield declined an interview with police but was arrested and held on remand for court.

Berriedale real estate agent Michael Joseph Schofield, 56. Picture: Facebook

He was bailed on June 9, 2022 on the condition that he comply with the family violence order, and not directly or indirectly threaten the woman.

But on August 2, when the woman was driving in Berriedale, she saw Schofield in his Ford Ranger driving towards her in the opposite direction.

Mr Keo said the woman could see Schofield’s face as he drove, when he suddenly jerked on the steering wheel, causing the car to cross over to her side of the road.

Schofield’s barrister Fabiano Cangelosi submitted that his client’s car was only “fractionally over the line”.

When police spoke to Schofield about the incident, he said he was a type one diabetic and that he had “experienced a hypoglycemic episode”, which had caused him to go into the right lane.

He told officers he had not swerved on purpose.

Schofield pleaded guilty to multiple charges including breach of a police family violence order, attempt to destroy property, and breach of bail.

Charges of common assault, obstruct the path of another driver and fail to keep left of an oncoming vehicle arose from the incident on August 2.

Schofield appeared for sentencing in Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

Mr Cangelosi said Schofield had worked for 25 years as a property agent at Edwards Windsor.

But after a report in The Mercury detailed Schofield’s charges, the Property Agents Board of Tasmania had asked him to show cause as to why his employment should not be ceased.

Mr Cangelosi said Schofield had been unwell and that he was no longer employed at the agency – but that he intended to resume work in the industry.

He said while Schofield would always have to account for his actions to the board, there was a “big difference” between a conviction and non conviction.

Mr Cangelosi said while an endocrinologist’s report would provide further details into what a hypoglycemic episode “could do” – an episode had not been “confirmed” in the report.

He submitted Schofield had “no intention” to cause damage to the woman’s car and that he had placed the nails there “spontaneously and stupidly” and that after he had done so he showed the property owner.

“(He) accepts the relationship is over (and) has no intention of being in contact (with her),” Mr Cangelosi said.

He asked that a fine and no conviction be imposed.

Schofield was bailed to a date in early May, for a decision to be handed down.