Ex-Miss Australia turned MP is accused of abusing her husband for 10 years, cutting him off from his family and telling him he was ‘worthless and useless’
- Kathryn Hay charged with emotional abuse or harassment
- She allegedly abused her husband for 10 years
- Mrs Hay was a Labor MP for Bass in northern Tasmania
A former state politician and Miss Australia winner is accused of beating and verbally abusing her husband for more than a decade.
Kathryn Isobel Hay was the Labor MP for Bass in Northern Tasmania between 2002 and 2006 and was also crowned Miss Tasmania and Miss Australia 1999.
The ex-politician and beauty pageant winner stood before Launceston Magistrates Court on March 2, charged with one count of emotional abuse or harassment and did not enter a plea.
Ms Hay’s alleged victim is her husband, Troy Shane Richardson, but the couple’s current relationship status is unknown.
The charges include 46 details of physical assault, manipulation and control against Mr Richardson between October 22, 2011 and February 13, 2022.
Former Tasmanian Labor member for Bass and 1999 Miss Australia winner Kathryn Hay (pictured) faces charges of emotional abuse or harassment against her husband
Court documents detail 46 details of physical assault, manipulation and control against her partner, Troy Shane Richardson, between October 22, 2011 and February 13, 2022 (photo, Kathryn Hay after the Miss Australian Quest awards ceremony)
Ms Hay allegedly assaulted her partner on numerous occasions by throwing a bowl of cereal at him, shoving him, punching him in the face and slapping his upper body, according to documents submitted to the court by the prosecution.
The prosecution alleges that Ms. Hay verbally abused Mr. Richardson by calling him “worthless and useless”, a “c***”, a “piece of s***”, “lazy”, “pathetic”, “stupid” and ‘unfit to name’. be a husband or a father.”
In 2002, Mrs Hay became the first woman of Aboriginal descent to be elected in Tasmania
Hay reportedly made a throat-slitting gesture at her husband, accused him of cheating and even told him to kill himself because “the world would be better off without him.”
Documents also show that Ms Hay allegedly told people she wanted her husband to commit suicide because she was going to ‘get it all’.
The 47-year-old is also accused of controlling her husband’s actions and discouraging him from going to therapy or counseling.
She allegedly prevented Mr Richardson from seeing his parents, established correspondence with the Director of Public Prosecutions and arranged doctor’s appointments for him without his consent.
Mrs. Hay became the first woman of Aboriginal descent to be elected to the Bass state division with Jim Cox in 2002.
She did not contest her seat again in 2006 and retired from politics for “personal reasons”.
However, in 2009 and 2012, Ms. Hay made potential re-election bids but withdrew prior to the vote.
Ms Hay is due to appear in court on May 29.