Woman admits scratching and stabbing man and burning his property, but denies slapping him

A mother is facing jail time after burning the father of her child’s property, as well as forging his signature, and attacking him by stabbing and scratching – but denies any allegations of slappping.

A NEWSTEAD woman has pleaded guilty to scratching a man’s face, neck and arms, stabbing him with a knife and setting his property on fire, but a hearing will be held next month after she denied slapping him.

Samantha Jayne Jones, 25, appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault and one count of breaching a police family violence order.

She was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to three counts of common assault, two breaches of a family violence order, unlawfully setting fire to property, unlawful possession of a dangerous article in a public place, forgery and uttering.

The court heard the forgery and uttering charges related to her writing the details of Anthony Charles Thomas on her daughter’s birth registration statement, forging his signature on the document and filing it with Service Tasmania.

It was stamped by Births, Deaths and Marriages.

When interviewed by police over the forgery, she said she did it because she wanted her daughter to know who her father was.

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Ms Jones on Wednesday entered not guilty pleas to one count of common assault against Mr Thomas and one count of breaching a family violence order.

The prosecution alleged Ms Jones and Mr Thomas were at home in February this year when Ms Jones began to argue with him because he would not buy her more cigarettes.

They continued to argue through the evening over the care of her children.

When Mr Thomas went out to feed the dog, Ms Jones allegedly knocked a bottle of coke on the floor and squirted sauce on the floor.

Mr Thomas returned inside and tried to give her a hug, but Ms Jones told him to get off her. The court heard Mr Thomas let go of Ms Jones and she slapped him in the face.

Ms Jones denied the assault saying she would not do that because she was subject to a court order.

Magistrate Ken Stanton said Ms Jones had already pleaded guilty to scratching Mr Thomas on his face, arms and neck, stabbing him with a knife and setting fire to his property, but a hearing would be needed to resolve the slapping assault charge and breach of family violence order.

Ms Jones will appear in court on June 25 for mention.