Susan Catherine Johnston, 52, was sentenced in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to injuring with intent to injure, breaching a protection order and breaching release conditions.
The court heard that in 2023, the defendant was homeless.
Although her 80-year-old mother had been assaulted by her before, and had a protection order against her, she let Johnston stay with her.
The pair were celebrating Mother’s Day and Johnston drank a bottle of red wine, despite being on release conditions not to consume alcohol.
The victim asked Johnston to move out of the way of the television.
Johnston responded by yelling at her mother, then striking her head with the empty wine bottle, causing a cut which bled profusely.
She then smashed a vase with the bottle and kicked her mother’s shins before trying to drag her out of her chair.
The victim managed to press her medical alarm and an ambulance was sent to help.
Johnston ran away from the address, but was arrested a short time later.
The defendant told police she was drinking to celebrate her mother’s 80th birthday, which was the day before the incident.
Crown prosecutor Craig Power highlighted Johnston’s history of violence towards her mother.
"She can, when she’s sober, be pleasant," Mr Power said.
"This was very concerning behaviour given the victim’s age."
Counsel John Westgate said his client struggled with poor mental health and had spent 11 months in custody.
She wanted to address her issues with alcohol and rebuild a relationship with her mother, Mr Westgate said.
In a statement to the court, the victim said she was shaken by the event, but still wanted a relationship with her daughter.
"She is my daughter and I care about her," she said.
"When sober, she’s fine to deal with."
Judge Michael Turner said Johnston was lucky to have a mother who still supported her.
"She doesn’t want to see you in prison. She certainly doesn’t want to be assaulted," the judge said.
"If you’ve burnt your bridges with your mother, there’s no-one."
Judge Turner sentenced Johnston to two years four months’ jail.
