Woman on assault has final chance

Judge hands down ‘suspended sentence’

Awoman facing charges of assault and wilful damage was given a second chance when she appeared for sentence in Dannevirke District Court. Nakita Edmonds, 30, was under stress at the time of the offences, counsel Leo Laferty told Judge Stephanie Edwards.

“Miss Edmonds had been staying locally with her mother but was based in Alfredton for work so had a long distance to travel each day for work.”

Judge Edwards noted Edmonds had a long history of alcohol-related and violent offending.

“The victim was her sister. “She said in her victim impact report that she hoped Edmonds would get some help with her alcohol problem.”

Laferty told the court Edmonds had received some assistance in 2015 but she was mature enough to realise she had to get more help.

Edmonds was moving to Alfredton in the hope of alleviating some of the stress of travelling each day, Laferty told the court.

Judge Edwards told Edmonds she did not want to set her up to fail.

“If you think you have a problem that is affecting your life and your health you need to do something about it,” Judge Edwards said.

“I understand you have got to prioritise your work so I don’t want to impose a sentence that will set you up to fail.”

Judge Edwards convicted Edmonds of the charges and ordered her to come up for sentence if called upon in the next six months.

“It’s like a suspended sentence. If you have any more offences and appear in court for them you will be resentenced on these charges.”