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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Hannah Neale

Charges dropped after woman's alleged threat to strangle hospital staff

Charges against a woman who allegedly assaulted hospital staff multiple times and made bomb threats to a now former minister's office have been dropped on mental health grounds.

Sixteen charges against the woman, who The Canberra Times has chosen not to name, were dismissed on Friday. Another charge has been withdrawn.

The charges included causing public mischief, assaulting a front line community service provider, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and property damage.

The ACT Magistrates Court heard on Friday that the woman suffered from multiple mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, alcohol misuse disorder, and ADHD.

She had also recently been diagnosed with severe autism.

Magistrate Ian Temby dismissed the charges but ordered that the woman be sent for review by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Mr Temby outlined the allegations against the woman which included assaulting a healthcare worker while being transported in an ambulance.

She also allegedly assaulted a doctor at the Woden Community Recovery Service, causing a laceration to the other woman's arm, hitting her with her handbag.

The woman was also accused of assaulting staff at Canberra Hospital multiple times. This allegedly included scratching nurses, running at doctors, throwing food and spitting.

She was said to have threatened: "I will strangle you."

In November 2023, she allegedly assaulted a mental health liaison worker while in the ACT courts building.

Police documents, tendered to the court during a previous bail application, allege that in July 2023 the woman began contacting then Greens minister Emma Davidson's office in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

It was alleged that between July and September 2023 she made 52 phone calls and sent five emails.

On September 21, police were contacted about a voicemail the woman allegedly left making threats of visiting the office with explosives.

In a voicemail played to police, the woman was accused of saying words to the effect of: "I'm going to visit you. Who is gonna bring in this gas? I've only got one gas mask."

Later that day the woman was said to have left another voicemail.

Police documents alleged it contained "manic laughter" as well as words to the effect of: "Could you imagine today, precious little children, they're going to meet me".

On Friday, Mr Temby said the woman's background "evokes a significant degree of sympathy".

The ACT courts building, where charges against the woman were dropped. Picture by Karleen Minney

He said she had suffered neglect as a child, a "horrific experience" in foster care, homelessness and physical violence.

Mr Temby stated her current mental health conditions were exacerbated by alcoholism and at one stage the woman was consuming 42 standard drinks a day.

The woman had told the court she wants "to live a life where she is a contributing member of society".

She had spent almost nine months in custody while on remand.

  • Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
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