Catherine Howard sentenced after breaking into neighbours Anna Bay unit during “manic episode”

A neighbour said the mum-of-two was acting odd in the week before she broke into her home, which resulted in the death of her mother who suffered a medical episode.

In a “bizarre” set of circumstances, a mum-of-two has suffered a “manic episode” and broke into her neighbours unit trying to steal back cannabis, before a woman had a seizure and died, a court has heard.

Catherine Ann Howard, 48, was charged with aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence after she broke into the Old Main Rd residence, at Anna Bay, in September last year.

Police facts said she had been friends with her neighbours, a 37-year-old woman and her 59-year-old mother, but in the week leading up to the incident her neighbour said she had been “acting mental”.

Catherine Howard leaving Newcastle Court after being sentenced for breaking into her neighbours unit in Anna Bay. Picture: Amy Ziniak

The court heard Ms Howard was swearing and yelling outside the unit late that night, and texting her neighbour, demanding she give back the cannabis plants she had given to them at an earlier date.

The 37-year-old went to bed, but just before midnight she awoke to banging and something smashing in the unit, before she realised Ms Howard had gained access.

Police facts said the woman called a friend who came and abused Ms Howard for being in the house, armed with a bamboo pole.

Ms Howard was given a community corrections order and ordered to do 100 hours of community service. Picture: Amy Ziniak

But the commotion caused the older woman to suffer a seizure and collapse. She was unable to be revived by paramedics and died.

Ms Howard was arrested and charged by police. She was not charged over her neighbour’s death.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday Ms Howard’s defence barrister Benjamin Bickford said his client was at the time of the offending affected by acute mental illness and was in the middle of a “manic episode”.

“This was uncharacteristic behaviour, bizarre and erratic,” Mr Bickford told the court.

“I don’t try to downplay the seriousness and the obvious fear of the victims, but acknowledge the extent she was affected by mental illness related to problems of a relationship breakdown and the suicide of her partner.

“She has accepted and embraced the need for treatment, she has a positive attitude for her mental health.”

The court heard Ms Howard had been taking anti-depressant medication and the combination of those and smoking cannabis, likely caused “hyper mania”.

Judge Roy Ellis said given her neighbour and friend had noticed a change in her mental behaviour prior to the incident, it supported a report by the psychiatrist that she was having a “manic episode”.

“I accept his view (doctor) that the manic episode at time of offending was an anti-depressant induced episode,” Judge Ellis said.

“It seems she has had an issue with cannabis abuse.”

He noted her genuine remorse and her willingness to continue getting treatment and counselling for her mental health.

A charge of intimidation was taken into account on sentencing.

Ms Howard was given a two year community corrections order (CCO) and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.

A condition was also that she abstain from any substance abuse and comply with any direction for treatment and counselling.