Threats of violence land Geelong woman in court
A 51 year old Geelong woman called a Newton pub last May and threatened an employee she believed to be bullying her daughter-in-law.
The Geelong Magistrates Court heard that Sharon Milburn, a disability support pensioner, called the Clarendon Hotel but refused to tell the employee her name as she repeatedly threatened to stab her.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Victoria McPhee said the dispute started between the co-workers after the victim of Ms Milburn’s ire commented to her fellow staff member, “All New Zealanders should pack their bags and go home,” at which point Milburn’s daughter-in-law became upset.
Two days after the incident, on 31 May, Milburn rang the hotel and asked to speak with the victim, saying “If you make (her) cry again, I will stab you on the way to your car.”
One of the pub’s owners then reported the incident to police.
A fortnight later, Milburn was arrested. She denied threatening to stab the victim but said she would “confront” her.
The court heard Milburn has never been in trouble with police.
“From what I could see, (she) was being bullied,” Milburn said as she explained that she chose to intervene to protect her daughter-in-law.
“I went about it all wrong. In hindsight, I wasn’t thinking at all.”
Milburn pleaded guilty to making threats to inflict serious injury.
Magistrate John Lesser sentenced her to a six-month good behaviour bond, with the added condition that she pay $600 to the court fund.
“Use your brain the next time something like this happens,” Mr Lesser said.
Irit Jackson, 3rd February 2021
