A WOMAN behind bars on wounding charges has been sentenced after throwing a rock through a window of a good Samaritan who went to help her.
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Nellie Bennett appeared via video link in Tamworth Local Court from Emu Plains Correctional Centre, where she's been bail refused on stabbing charges.
The court heard the DPP was pushing ahead with a charge of wounding with intent, certifying the charge. Magistrate Julie Soars was told a reckless wounding charge was continuing, but was an alternative.
Bennett is accused of stabbing a woman, aged in her forties, in Cossa Street in Coledale on the night of March 26.
The woman was stabbed three times in the torso about 11pm, after an argument unfolded in a block of flats, police claim.
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Solicitor Amanda Gaw said she had been assigned the case from Legal Aid but would be withdrawing, after Bennett asked for a new solicitor.
"I will pass the file back to Legal Aid," she told the court.
The case has now been adjourned to allow the Crown and the defence to hold a case conference before it will return to court in September.
Bennett's record, along with the facts and a sentencing report were tendered, for sentencing on two charges of damaging or destroying property, after she pleaded guilty.
The court was told Bennett smashed holes in the wall of a house, and then hurled a rock through a windscreen, breaking it.
Police prosecutor Sergeant John Brissett called for a jail term for the "mid-range offences".
"This is a person that was helping her out on the day," he told the court.
"She's then gone and thrown a rock through a windscreen."
Ms Soars said it was clear the 31-year-old had a problem with illicit substances, and asked if Bennett wanted to get a specialist to examine her in custody.
"Some of that behvaiour might be a drug-induced psychosis?" Ms Soars asked.
"It sounds like a good idea," Bennett replied.
I do have some anger problems, I guess.
- Nellie Bennett
"I do have some anger problems, I guess."
She was given a discount for her early guilty pleas, and while Bennett said "I knew I wasn't getting out today," she decided to abandon the psychological assessment and asked to be sentenced.
The court heard she had breached a Community Correction's Order, or good behaviour bond, for a different offence but one also involving violence.
Ms Gaw said Bennett did about two thirds of the CCO "but supervision issues arose".
Ms Soars noted "these are the third matters on her record", after an earlier affray conviction.
She said Bennett had been bail refused on the wounding charges since March 27, and subsequently put Bennett on two CCO's for 12 months for the damaging property.