A WOMAN who repeatedly dodged her court appearances has paid the price in jail, a court heard last week.
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Belinda Brooks, 41, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates Court on Thursday after spending about six weeks in custody.
The court heard Brooks had breached an intervention order and had repeatedly failed to answer bail. When police executed a warrant for her arrest she threw a shoe at a female police officer, hitting her in the shoulder.
Prosecuting, Senior Constable Alan Walker called upon Senior Constable Roberta Barry from Kerang police to give evidence.
Senior Constable Barry said Brooks was well known to Kerang police who had tried to look after her and attempted to ensure she attended court.
“On six occasions she failed to appear in court,” she said.
The court heard Brooks had breached an intervention order by verbally abusing a boy who was her neighbour.
On February 20 she made threats to hit him over the head with a hammer.
On February 28 she said, “bang, bang, I’m going to kill your parents”. In police interviews Brooks denied making the threats or breaching the intervention order.
Defence lawyer Kate Youngson said prison had been particularly tough for Brooks who had been allegedly spat on, bullied and assaulted.
Ms Youngson said Brooks was also in danger of losing her home and was suffering from a medical condition.
The court heard most of Brooks’ failed court appearances were because she didn’t want to go to Bendigo but had no problem attending court in Kerang.
The case has been adjourned to the Kerang Magistrates Court on September 3.
Brooks was granted bail with strict conditions.
