Jenna Nadebaum jailed for assault of an 81-year-old woman on a bus

A woman who “saw red” slapped and spat at an elderly lady on the bus and kicked her when she fell down – all because she claims she had called her a name.

A woman who suffers from “explosive disorder” slapped, kicked and spat at an elderly lady because she claims she called her a c***, a court heard.

Jenna Margaret Nadebaum, 35, was jailed in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday for the atrocious assault.

The court heard she was waiting to get onto an Adelaide bus on February 3.

Nadebaum couldn’t get on because an 81-year-old woman was getting off.

“She’s confronted that woman by getting in front of her, stopping her from walking away,” a police prosecutor said.

“She pushed her in the chest, spat at her, slapped her to the side of her head and caused her to fall to the ground.

“While on the ground, the defendant’s then kicked the victim to her legs.”

The “very elderly” woman couldn’t get up by herself and needed assistance.

Jenna Nadebaum was jailed in Adelaide Magistrates Court for assault. Picture: Facebook

The Gilberton woman pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and prohibited act with human biological material.

The court heard Nadebaum also verbally abused another victim on an Adelaide bus in December, 2019.

Joseph Sanders, for Ms Nadebaum, told the court she recognised the incident was “extremely serious”.

“She concedes … that it was deplorable conduct, atrocious conduct,” he said.
“By no means an excuse but she says that the complainant called her an old beggar and a c***.

“From that moment she saw red.”

The court heard Nadebaum suffers from intermittent explosive disorder and hadn’t been on her medication for a week leading up to the offending.

Magistrate Simon Smart sentenced Nadebaum to six months jail.

He ordered Nadebaum serve three months, with the remainder suspended on a two-year, $100 good behaviour bond.

The sentence was backdated to February 3.