Knifing a ‘fair dinkum’ attack

A WOMAN was “fair dinkum” when she stabbed her boyfriend’s alleged mistress three times in broad daylight in Surfers Paradise.

Alysha Maree Herbert, 21, swung a “large knife” down in a chopping motion on her 35-year-old victim after running from a Surfers Paradise unit complex about 2pm on July 28 last year.

“She slept with my (expletive) boyfriend, what would you do?” Herbert was heard yelling moments before the stabbing.

Herbert’s friend tried unsuccessfully to stop her.

The victim had gone to the unit to pick up her phone. She received an 8cm cut to her hand, which required surgery, a stab wound to the shoulder and a 3cm cut to the head.

Herbert returned to the unit and changed before fleeing on foot.

She pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court yesterday to multiple charges including wounding, going armed to cause fear and possessing a knife in a public place.

Judge Julie Dick sentenced Herbert to 16 months in prison, which was suspended after she spent about eight months in pre-sentence custody.

“It was a determined wounding ... you stated what you intended to do,” Judge Dick said.

“How you used the knife also tells a story because you started high and brought the knife down on the complainant’s head and back.

“You were fair dinkum about this.”

Judge Dick said Herbert was lucky the woman’s injuries were not more serious: “I have seen over the years many manslaughters and murders that could have been woundings and there is only an inch in it.”

Herbert will not be released immediately as she is to face court next month for breaching probation.

Prosecutor Denise Darwin said Herbert was also caught at a train station in January last year brandishing a knife after a verbal altercation.

Herbert’s barrister Thomas Zwoerner said Herbert has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.

He said she had a difficult upbringing and her father was violent.

Mr Zwoerner said she left school at 15 before becoming homeless and working as a sex worker.

“She turned 21 in custody and described it as the best birthday she ever had,” he said.

Mr Zwoerner said Herbert was getting help from mental health professionals and upon release would be referred to the appropriate doctors.