A 43-year-old Penguin woman who assaulted her neighbour with a piece of wood and threatened him with a sickle has received a largely suspended prison sentence in the Supreme Court.
Anita Lee Watson pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, assault and property destruction following the June 2023 incident at a housing complex where both she and the victim continue to live.
Justice Tamara Jago said Watson had been drinking with her neighbour before her behaviour “seemingly changed” and she “began to spit” on his floor.
After being asked to leave, Watson returned and threw a stone paver through the victim’s window before entering his porch without permission.
“You then proceeded to use your nails to scratch the complainant. You also used a piece of wood that you had in your possession to strike him over the head,” Justice Jago said.
Watson then picked up a sickle from outside the property, forcing the victim to retreat inside his unit. He later restrained her until police arrived.
The court heard the victim suffered abrasions to his face, head and hands and continues to experience anxiety, particularly as he still lives near Watson.
“He has been left feeling depressed, hyper vigilant and worried,” Justice Jago said.
Watson, who receives a disability support pension for mental health conditions, has previous convictions and committed further offences since the 2023 incident, resulting in a 3-month period of imprisonment last year.
Justice Jago sentenced Watson to 10 months’ imprisonment backdated to February, but suspended the remaining eight months to allow her to undertake treatment.
“Forcing your way into somebody’s home and assaulting them is always a serious matter,” she said.
“Your violence was perpetrated upon the complainant in his own home, despite him having made numerous requests for you to leave.”
“You were drunk and not in control of your actions, which only exacerbates the risk of injury, particularly given your use of a weapon.”
“It is fortunate the complainant’s injuries were not worse.”
