Kelly Maree Beckwith, 45, was sentenced to a seven-month intensive correction order in Wagga Local Court on Monday after the drunken attack in the streets of Mount Austin. 

The victim was having a roadside disagreement with her boyfriend on February 13 when Beckwith yelled at them from her home across the street to keep quiet.

Beckwith’s daughter then walked over and got into a minor scuffle with the victim, with police describing it as “more shouting and pushing” rather than punching and hitting.

Beckwith then marched over holding a long-neck beer bottle and smashed it on the victim’s head, causing her to stagger away disoriented and in pain. 

“The accused walked back to her home without offering any care or assistance to the victim,” documents tendered to the court read.

“It was evident to her then that she had a bruise forming on her head.” 

During her sentencing hearing, Beckwith’s lawyer conceded her actions were wholly unacceptable. 

“I do concede it’s above the mid-range – there was a single blow to the head, there was the use of a weapon, and the victim in the matter was under the age of 18,” he said.

“She does have a limited history, but it’s spiked over the last two years… that resulted in her self-medicating with alcohol.” 

After hearing the facts of the case, Magistrate Christopher Halburd said there was clearly no appropriate sentencing option other than some form of custody for Beckwith. 

“This is a young person who’s just been doing a bit of pushing and shoving with your daughter in the street, and you come out and whack her in the head with a beer bottle,” Mr Halburd said.

“It could’ve been much more serious.” 

Mr Halburd sentenced her to seven months’ jail to be served by way of an intensive correction order in the community with some added conditions. 

“For the next seven months, it’s going to be a condition of this order that you do not drink any alcohol at all, and that’s going to be very difficult for you with summer and Christmas coming up,” he said.

“It seems it’s in your best interest and the best interests of everyone around you that you do not consume any alcohol.” 

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