Woman jailed for knifing ‘partner’

A DEVONPORT woman who, in a fit of jealous rage, stabbed the man she considered her boyfriend has been sent to jail.

Cathryn May Ellis, 52, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Burnie yesterday to one count of wounding.

On February 16, Ellis had called her victim at least 59 times, but he did not answer.

She took a steak knife from her house and drove to Wivenhoe where he was staying in supported accommodation.

When she arrived she found the victim outside having a cigarette with a woman.

Her car mounted the kerb, she got out and ran towards him holding the knife and stabbed him near his hip.

Ellis tried to stab him again but he grabbed the knife.

There was a struggle between the two before the man ran into the manager’s office at Burnie Lodge and police were called. He was treated by paramedics at the scene.

While Ellis, a disability pensioner, told police she had been in a relationship with her victim for three years, Prosecutor Jodi Dennison said her victim denied they were involved romantically.

The court heard Ellis led a lonely life with little contact with other people.

Justice Geason told Ellis her life circumstances were sad.

“But your conduct was serious and premeditated. You intended to cause serious injury to your victim,” he said.

“I appreciate you were hurt, but that does not justify your reaction which was out of all proportion.

“No one ought be at risk of physical harm because you are put out.”

The court was told Ellis had exhibited a tendency to engage in physical violence in the past, and restraint orders had been taken out against her by other people.

Justice Geason sentenced Ellis to nine months in prison. Five months of that sentence were suspended on the condition she be of good behaviour for three years.