Jessica Lee Streeting, Ipswich, sentenced for Redbank Station wounding

An Ipswich dental assistant with no criminal history stabbed a man in the back with a broken bottle out of “defence” during a wild New Year’s Eve street fight, a court has heard.

Jessica Lee Streeting, 29, leaving Ipswich Court on September 7, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich dental assistant stabbed a man in the back with a broken bottle during an alcohol-fuelled “blackout moment” at a local train station on New Year’s Eve.

Collingwood Park resident Jessica Lee Streeting, 29, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on September 7, 2023, to one count of wounding.

The court heard Streeting had been drinking with a group of people on December 31, 2021, for New Year’s Eve.

They were at Redbank Station when members of Streeting’s group got into a verbal altercation with another group of people, which included the victim.

Judge Dennis Lynch said the altercation quickly escalated, and a glass bottle was thrown at Streeting’s group at one stage.

He said the victim also engaged in “threatening conduct” towards Streeting’s group by taking his shirt off and standing in front of one of them.

It was at that stage that Streeting felt threatened and picked up the shattered glass bottle from the ground, the court heard.

She came up behind the victim as he stood in front of her group member and used the broken glass to stab him in the back.

The court heard the victim initially denied medical aid but eventually required stitches for the 6cm laceration.

He did not speak to police about the incident or provide a victim impact statement.

Defence barrister Justin Thomas said his client had had a “blackout moment” and didn’t remember what she had done.

But she had accepted she must have stabbed the victim after hearing witness accounts.

Mr Thomas said the victim’s behaviour might be described as “provocative”.

“It was certainly conduct on the part of the companaint which gave the defendant good reason to be concerned about what was unfolding in front of her,” he said.

Mr Thomas said his client had an “over-exaggerated” sense of responsibility and protective nature.

She had gained custody of her younger siblings at age 19 after the death of her mother, he said.

The court heard Streeting had no criminal history and was employed as a dental assistant in Forest Lake.

Mr Thomas said his client’s achievements demonstrated how a person with a “deprived” background could do well for themself and make meaningful contributions to society.

Judge Dennis Lynch said he accepted the offending was out of character and that Streeting believed she was acting in defence of a member of her group.

However, he noted she pleaded guilty on the basis that her actions had been excessive.

Judge Lynch sentenced Streeting to 18 months probation.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Jessica Lee Streeting, Ipswich, sentenced for Redbank Station wounding