A life marred with violence and abuse was detailed to a court during the sentencing mitigation for a mother who committed a violent home invasion at Fingal.
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Rose-Lee Clarke, 24, has pleaded guilty to aggravated armed robbery, two counts of aggravated burglary and stealing.
Clarke was wielding a baseball bat when her and two other women attacked and robbed a 76-year-old man who was asleep in his bedroom.
The man was hospitalised after sustaining a five-centimetre laceration to his skull that required stitches, as well as broken teeth, a blood nose, and bruising on his upper body and thighs during the burglary.
Defence lawyer Mark Doyle told the Launceston Supreme Court his client and her two children had fled a particularly violent relationship. To escape her abusive partner, the court heard Clarke left her children in the care of their biological dad and remained in the relationship until she was able to leave.
Mr Doyle said Clarke was homeless when she moved from Hobart to Launceston, so her children remained with their dad.
At the same time, Mr Doyle said Clarke had been speaking to her family about historical sex offences perpetrated by her grandfather.
The combined traumas led to Clarke using ice, Doyle said.
The court heard Clarke wanted to write an apology letter to the victim, but didn't want to send it unsolicited so her lawyer publically apologised on her behalf.
Mr Doyle said the violence used during the attack shocked and appalled his client because she didn't consider herself a violent person.
Clarke will be sentenced on June 3.