A WOMAN who threatened two Bendigo paramedics with a knife has been given a 12-month community corrections order.
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The 33-year-old was sentenced in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Friday after she pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an ambulance officer and one count of threatening to inflict serious injury.
The court heard on the night of September 20, 2019, the woman was drinking alcohol at home with her partner when she attempted self-harm.
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Her partner contacted 000 and two Bendigo paramedics arrived at the property just before midnight.
The paramedics assessed the woman and tried to transport her to hospital, but she refused several times.
The woman then collected a knife from a kitchen bench and raised it at the paramedics.
The court heard the paramedics were terrified and ran to their ambulance, where they locked the vehicle and pressed the duress button.
The woman came out after them and made slashing motions in the air before her partner restrained her.
Police arrived at the property about 12.20am and restrained the 33-year-old while the paramedics again treated her.
The woman later told police she remembered grabbing the knife, but that she was using it in self-defence and that she didn't want to hurt the paramedics.
The two paramedics read victim impact statements to the court on Wednesday.
The female paramedic, who was 30 weeks pregnant at the time of the assault, told the court the incident was the "most traumatic experience" of her life.
Defence lawyer Alex McLennan told the court his client had serious mental health issues and was dependent on alcohol at the time of the offending.
Magistrate Patrick Southey acknowledged they were mitigating factors in sentencing.
Mr Southey convicted and sentenced the woman to a 12-month community corrections order.
The order will include drug and alcohol treatment, mental health support, and supervision.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4634.
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
