Woman charged with assault over incident involving shovel

Janelle Beaton, previously of Cobden and now of Warrnambool, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Wednesday where she made a self-represented bail application.

Cobden police Sergeant Heather Morris told the court Ms Beaton allegedly attended her uncle's house in Jancourt's Beatons Road about 6.30pm on Monday.

She alleged the accused became angry, grabbed a shovel from the front of the house and screamed at her uncle's partner before attacking her.

Sergeant Morris said the accused struck the victim with the bladed shovel edge, stabbing her to the upper right arm and causing a small cut and a large bruise.

She said she then struck the victim a second time using the flat side of the shovel, causing a red mark and minor bruising to her hip.

"She has then used the shovel to hit the floor multiple times and told the victim's to leave," the sergeant said.

Then on Tuesday, Ms Beaton allegedly attended a property in Cobden's Silvester Street, removed a loose brick and threw it through the front window, shattering the glass and damaging the plaster wall and interior floor boards.

Sergeant Morris said the woman was arrested, interviewed and charged with offences.

She said the victims were scared of the accused and had told police that Ms Beaton had become increasingly violent, erratic and unpredictable.

"The family tells me that they believe she is using ice," Sergeant Morris said.

"I could smell alcohol (on her breath) when I spoke to her yesterday."

A friend of the accused told the court Ms Beaton could live at her Warrnambool home if she was released on bail.

Magistrate Mark Stratmann released the woman on bail, stating he had considered the strength of the prosecution case and Ms Beaton's strong family support.

The woman was bailed with strict conditions, including she report to Warrnambool police station twice a week, surrender her passport, not leave Victoria, abide by a 9pm to 7am curfew and not use drugs, alcohol, or drive a car.

She will appear in court again on December 19.

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