Illawarra Court Roundup: From Microwave Assaults to Cold Case Developments
This week in Illawarra courts, a series of notable cases unfolded, ranging from domestic disputes to long-standing criminal investigations. The Wollongong Local Court heard matters involving assaults, drink-driving incidents, and even a cold case update that captured public attention.
Bellambi Woman Avoids Jail After Microwave Assault
A Bellambi woman, Yakyak Stanley McGuiness, 39, has avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to common assault and two counts of contravening an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. The incident occurred on December 27, 2025, in West Wollongong, where an argument over leaked personal information escalated. According to court documents, McGuiness threw a microwave at the victim, who was lying on a lounge watching television. In court, she expressed her intention to focus on self-improvement moving forward.
Drunk Teenager Flips LandCruiser, Stuns Magistrate
A teenage P-plater left a magistrate uttering "Good grief" after managing to flip his Toyota LandCruiser while attempting to move it to a sleeping spot. The youth, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, appeared in court on January 27, pleading guilty to mid-range drink-driving. Court documents reveal that on the night of November 28, he had been drinking Great Northern beer near Stanwell Park before flipping his vehicle between Hillside Crescent and The Drive on Park Parade.
Charges Dropped in Pauline Sowry Cold Case
In a significant development, Leon Andus Antonius Boeyen, 64, has been released from custody after prosecutors withdrew all charges against him. Boeyen was accused of covering up for the killer of missing Wollongong mother Pauline Sowry. Appearing via audio-visual link in Wollongong Local Court on January 28, dressed in prison greens, he choked back tears as the Crown formally withdrew the case, marking a twist in this long-running cold case investigation.
Helensburgh Bricklayer Sentenced Over Domestic Violence Tirade
Mason Wayne Hill, a 25-year-old bricklayer from Helensburgh, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to intimidation, common assault, and contravening an ADVO. The court heard that on September 28, following a drinking session at the Helensburgh Tradies, Hill threatened to drive his ute into a tree during what was described as a "disgusting" episode of domestic violence. The magistrate warned Hill that he risks imprisonment if he fails to control his anger in the future.
Aspiring Teacher Blasted for Defacing Sea Cliff Bridge
Edward Max Morrison, 22, an aspiring teacher from Wollongong, faced the court for intentionally marking the Sea Cliff Bridge without consent during a pro-Palestine protest. Dressed in an olive-green suit and supported by his parents, Morrison pleaded guilty, with his solicitor arguing that his actions were a misguided attempt to show empathy for suffering. However, the magistrate condemned the act as "really criminal", highlighting the destructive nature of the defacement.
These cases underscore the diverse and often dramatic nature of matters brought before Illawarra courts, reflecting broader societal issues from domestic violence to public vandalism.
