Jamahl McLean sentenced for one count aggravated causing harm with intent to cause harm after stabbing aunt

A 22-year-old Upper Spencer Gulf man who once punched his grandmother in the face has been sent to prison for stabbing his pregnant aunt, a court has heard.

A Port Augusta man who blamed marijuana-induced psychosis for stabbing his pregnant aunt has been locked up for three years.

Jamahl Mclean, 22, ran onto the street and told his neighbour that he had stabbed her because she had taken his mobile phone, a court heard.

A victim statement from Mclean’s aunt was read to the court by Judge Gordon Barrett.

“She said that as it happened she was 11 weeks pregnant at the time and she lost the baby,” Mr Barrett said.

“She attributes the loss of the baby to what you did.

Jamahl Mclean was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for stabbing his aunt. Picture: Facebook

“Frightened, she moved to Queensland to stay with her grandmother.

“She said she lost her house as a result of this.”

The court heard Mclean’s aunt was previously stabbed by her own husband, who “ironically” served time for the crime in custody while Mclean was on remand in custody at the Port Augusta jail.

“His uncle spent the best part of six months in jail for stabbing her as well,” Ms Burgess said.

“To stab someone in the back is serious, it’s fortunate that his aunty was not more seriously hurt,” said Ms Burgess.

According to his lawyer, Sally Burgess, after stabbing the victim, he experienced a psychotic episode.

“Mr Mclean was looking at his phone and expressing a delusional belief that people were watching him through his phone,” Ms Burgess said.

“Including belief that messages are transmitted through things such as the television.

“He had recently been in hospital with drug-induced psychosis.”

Mclean was released on bail after being arrested but breached his conditions by going to a funeral in the Northern Territory and has been in custody since June.

Judge Barrett declined to suspend Mclean’s sentence, saying there was presently no sign that he had been sufficiently compliant with medication or treatment of his mental illnesses.

“Although I acknowledge your mental health problems, and in particular that on the day you were suffering from a mental health episode, this offending was nevertheless serious,” Judge Barrett said.

“You do not have a long list of court appearances, but in 2017, when you were under 18 yourself, you punched your grandmother in the face.

“Without medication or treatment of your mental illnesses, your future looks problematic.”

Mclean was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment with a non-parole period of one year, 10 months.

The sentence was backdated to June 20.