Natalie Kym McKeon: Ordered to pay restitution to woman she attacked with knife

A court has heard a courageous good Samaritan was lucky to escape serious injury when a woman she sought to assist turned on her.

A drug offender who attacked a good Samaritan with a knife after the woman came to her aid has promised to write her “brave” victim an apology letter, a court has heard.

Appearing at Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Natalie Kym McKeon, 40, of Red Hill and formerly of Cleveland pleaded guilty to common assault and going armed so as to cause fear.

A charge of attempted serious assault was dropped by the prosecution.

The court heard a concerned resident called Triple-0 at around 10.50am on June 2 when she observed a disturbance between McKeon and another person at a Cleveland apartment complex.

According to police, the woman drove her vehicle to the complex and remained at the site as she was concerned for McKeon’s wellbeing.

However, the woman was soon confronted by an armed and erratic McKeon.

The court heard the drug-affected defendant had a pair of scissors in one hand and a steak knife in the other when she approached the victim.

Angered by the woman’s presence, McKeon swung the steak knife at her victim from 2m away.

Natalie Kym McKeon, 40, leaves Cleveland Magistrates Court. Picture: Marcel Baum.

The court heard the victim was lucky to jump out of the way, ran to her vehicle, locked herself inside and bravely remained until police arrived.

A police prosecutor said arriving officers found McKeon still holding both weapons before her arrest.

Due to her erratic state, the defendant was transferred to Redland Hospital before later transferring to police remand.

A police prosecutor said the incident was particularly serious for occurring in the vicinity of multiple community members.

Defence solicitor Brittany White said he client had no history of violent offending and had a relapse on a lengthy drug addiction.

Ms White said McKeon had a traumatic background, was diagnosed with PTSD and had been proactive in seeking counselling.

The court heard the mother of five had since moved to Red Hill, frequently saw a doctor and was determined to reconnect with her children.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta noted McKeon had been imprisoned in the past on drug offences.

Ms Vasta echoed the prosecution in their remarks about the victim’s bravery and care and suggested McKeon write her a letter of apology.

The suggestion was heartily taken up by the defendant.

McKeon was sentenced to two years’ probation and ordered to pay her victim $400 in compensation.