Alleged Broome domestic violence victims spared hefty penalties for glass bottle attacks against partners

Two Broome women alleged to have been long-term victims of domestic violence have been spared hefty penalties for wounding their respective partners with glass bottles in separate incidents. Serena Kelly, 36, and Justine Bamba, 46, appeared in Broome Magistrate’s Court last Monday, where they both pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful wounding against their respective partners. The court was told in February last year Kelly got into a drunken argument with her then-partner that turned physical. After the victim allegedly punched Kelly, she retaliated by smashing a glass beer bottle on his head. The court was told the couple’s relationship had been marred by domestic violence, with Kelly the alleged victim in most instances. Kelly’s lawyer Paul Tobin told the court the incident was a case of “excessive self-defence”. She had a record of minor offences. During Bamba’s hearing, the court was told she was at her partner’s home on December 11 when she got into an argument with him. It was believed Bamba accused the victim of infidelity before grabbing a glass bottle, smashing it, and using the broken bottle to slice at her partner of 20 years. The court was told Bamba had also been a long-term victim of domestic violence. However, it was found Bamba had recently finished serving a suspended imprisonment order after being convicted of a similar incident in 2019. Magistrate Stephen Sharratt handed Kelly a $900 fine. Bamba was placed on a conditional suspended imprisonment order for 12 months with supervision and program requirements.