Gorokan: Jemma Laing fuelled by jealousy and alcohol during home invasion on ex-boyfriend

A woman was fuelled by jealousy and alcohol when she launched an ill-fated home invasion on her ex-boyfriend, rather than an underlying mental health condition, a court has heard.

Jemma Laing pleaded guilty to a violent home invasion where she tried to force her way into her ex-boyfriend's house and assaulted him. Picture: NewsLocal

A woman who turned up drunk at her ex-boyfriend’s house in the middle of the night and “lost it” when she saw his new partner’s car parked in the driveway has been told by a magistrate “you need to be classier than that”.

Jemma Laing, of The Entrance, faced Wyong Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to entering with intent to commit an offence, intimidation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company and destroying property.

The 24-year-old’s solicitor applied to have the charges dealt with under mental health provisions and tendered a 30-page psychological report outlining her client’s pre-existing conditions including post traumatic stress disorder, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Laing’s solicitor told the court her client scored in the “chronic” range for some symptoms and was on two regular medications.

She said Laing had abided by strict bail conditions for about 16 months since the incident and could follow a mental health treatment plan that would mitigate any risk to the community.

Laing and her friend had been drinking at Wyong Leagues Club when they decided to head to her ex-boyfriend’s house at Gorokan. (File picture)

However magistrate Trevor Khan said it was clear from the agreed facts that Laing was acting out of “jealousy, heartbreak or anger” from the breakdown of her relationship and the discovery her ex-boyfriend had already moved on — in addition to too much alcohol — rather than her underlying mental health issues.

Mr Khan refused the mental health application and instead convicted Laing on all counts and sentenced her to a community corrections order for 18 months.

Laing applied to have the charges dealt with under mental health provisions at Wyong Local Court. Picture: File image

An agreed set of facts states Laing and a girlfriend were drinking at Wyong Leagues Club on March 28 last year when they decided to confront Laing’s ex-boyfriend about an alleged infidelity.

There is no suggestion Laing’s ex-boyfriend was unfaithful to her.

Laing and her friend left the club about 1am and turned up at his Gorokan address where Laing saw his new girlfriend’s car in the driveway.

She would later tell police “it set me off” and she bent the number plates and ripped the back wiper blade off before trying to force her way inside his house.

During the ensuing struggle Laing and her friend punched him, kicked him in the testicles and grabbed his throat and hair.

Police arrived and arrested Laing and her friend.

Danielle Dent, 24, of Toukley, was also charged over the home invasion and will be sentenced in September. Picture: NewsLocal

Mr Khan said it really came down to the seriousness and nature of the offending, which was aggravated by the fact it was unprovoked, was late at night and in the home of the victim and Laing and her friend were acting “in company”.

Mr Khan said while he accepted Laing had underlying mental health issues this was more about a young person making poor decisions under the influence of alcohol.

“This is one of those crackers … a really, really bad idea,” he said.

“You have to be classier than that. You let him get under your skin.”

Laing’s friend Danielle Dent, 24, of Toukley, has also pleaded guilty to entering with intent, intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company as well as two counts of assaulting police after she bit an officer during her arrest and punched another back at the station.

She will be sentenced on September 2.