Former Miss Australia found guilty of emotionally abusing ex-husband
Share and Follow

A former Miss Australia and one-time Labor politician has been found guilty of emotionally abusing and intimidating her ex-husband.

Kathryn Isobel Hay, 49, won the national pageant crown in 1999 and was also Miss Tasmania in the same year.

She served four years in the island state’s parliament from 2002 as a Labor member in the electorate of Bass.

Kathryn Isobel Hay, 49, was found guilty of emotionally abusing and intimidating her ex-husband. (AAP)

Hay had pleaded not guilty to one count of emotionally abusing or intimidating then-partner Troy Shane Richardson from 2014 to 2022.

She was found guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court today, with the majority of the particulars on the charge proven.

Richardson told the hearing in 2024 Hay was verbally abusive, punched him, threatened him with violence weekly and hit him multiple times with a shoe.

Richardson said the pair met in 2009 at a dog show and married in 2012.

He told the court their relationship was “all rosy” but things deteriorated around 2013 after the birth of their second child.

On a return trip to Tasmania, Richardson said Hay threw a bowl of cereal at him and called him useless, pathetic and a c—.

“She would often make a point of having an argument in public just to make me feel low,” he said.

Launceston Magistrates Court
She was found guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court today. (Magistrates Court of Tasmania)

Richardson said he was left with a black eye after Hay punched him in 2020.

In 2021, Hay was taken into police custody for allegedly slapping Richardson for driving around a corner too fast leading to a family violence order against her.

Richardson said Hay later demanded he have the order revoked and spent 79 minutes on the phone with him telling him what to write.

Hay denied being physically abusive but admitted on occasion using bad language as the relationship became toxic.

She told the court it was possible Richardson sent messages to himself because he had access to her passwords and Facebook account.

Hay also accused Richardson of being financially controlling, something he denied.

Hay’s bail was continued.

She is expected to be sentenced on April 17.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Share and Follow
You May Also Like
World weather heat

Global Forecast Predicts Surge of 57 Additional Extreme Heat Days Annually

The world is on track to add nearly two months of dangerous…
Man arrested after four alleged attempted carjackings in Bunnings car park

Suspect Detained Following Series of Attempted Carjackings in Bunnings Parking Lot

A man has been apprehended following a series of alleged carjacking attempts…
Farmers plant rice saplings in a waterlogged paddy field in Uttar Pradesh on July 12, 2025.

Farmer Discovers Mysterious Buried Figure, Uncovers Unexpected Movement

The first thing that caught Shyam Babu’s attention was a small, delicate…

Unveiling the Truth: The Real Story Behind Australia’s Rental Affordability

If you can’t find an affordable place to rent in a major…
Maximum temperatures for next Tuesday showing temperatures as high as 44 degrees in pink.

Unprecedented Heatwave: October Shatters Temperature Records Across the U.S.

A vast expanse of intense heat in the Australian outback is anticipated…
A capture from the CCTV footage of a random stabbing attack in Melbourne's CBD in October

Melbourne Stabbing Survivor’s Family Shares Ongoing Struggles with Public Fear

The family of a woman who reportedly endured a random stabbing in…
Mayiik Ring was stabbed to death during an altercation with a group of males in St Albans in December.

Judge Condemns Man for Fatal Stabbing of Expectant Father Following Minor Dispute

A judge has condemned the brutal murder of a “blameless peacemaker,” sentencing…

Rock Legend Ace Frehley of KISS: Remembering the Iconic Guitarist’s Legacy at 74

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam…