A woman who severed her fiance’s tendon after throwing knives at him during a drunken argument has walked free from court with a wholly suspended sentence.
Katie Jahnz, 37, pleaded guilty to wounding and common assault after the “serious violence” incident at a Latrobe home in the early hours of April 7.
The Supreme Court heard Jahnz had been throwing household items during a heated argument with her then-fiance.
When her partner refused to leave despite repeated requests, Jahnz kicked and punched him, causing a small cut to his forehead.
The argument escalated in the kitchen, where Jahnz grabbed several knives from a drawer and hurled them at her fiance.
One knife struck his left hand, cutting his ring finger deep enough to sever a tendon. He required surgery to reattach it.
Justice Tamara Jago heard that Jahnz had stopped taking her mental health medication while undergoing IVF treatment in the lead-up to the incident.
The court heard she suffers from PTSD, borderline personality disorder, depression and anxiety linked to a past abusive relationship.
“When things became heated with your fiance you were reminded of your previous violent relationship and reacted badly,” Justice Jago said.
Jahnz told police she had wanted to scare her partner into leaving but was “horrified” she had hurt him.
The court heard she displayed genuine remorse and made full admissions during her police interview.
Justice Jago acknowledged the seriousness of using a dangerous weapon but noted Jahnz had since resumed her mental health treatment and recently become a mother.
“I accept that your behaviour was out of character for you and reflective of your mental health difficulties at the time,” she said.
“The use of a weapon, however, in such circumstances is obviously dangerous and your behaviour must be condemned.”
Jahnz was sentenced to nine months in jail, wholly suspended for 18 months.
She must not commit any offence punishable by prison during that time or risk serving the term.
