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A 51-year-old woman has appeared in court accused of throwing a highly corrosive acid on a man late last night.
The alleged attacker, who wore a blue boiler suit and stood with her head bowed during the brief court appearance, will keep her name secret for now so the court can assess “complex mental health issues” at play.
Police were called to a Sim St address in Johnsonville at 11.10pm yesterday.
“The victim received acid burns to an arm and clothing, and was treated by an ambulance crew at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.
If inhaled, health risks include corrosion of mucous membranes, delayed pulmonary oedema, and even death. It can cause severe chemical burns if it comes in contact with skin.
The woman did not enter pleas to the charge when she appeared before Judge John Walker in the Wellington District Court this morning.
Her lawyer Julia Spiers told the court she had “complex mental health issues”.
A 51-year-old woman was arrested at a Kipling St address in Johnsonville after allegedly throwing nitric acid on a man. Photo / Melissa Nightingale
Judge John Walker granted the woman name suppression on mental health grounds and declined media applications to photograph the defendant.
She has been remanded in custody without plea until mid-May.
Sleepless night after ‘commotion’
A man named George who lives in the adjoining flat to where the woman was arrested said a man and woman had moved in there about a month ago and had fought loudly from the first day.
“First day they moved in they were arguing, smashing windows,” George, who has lived there for 15 years.
“At least it was on their side and not mine.”
He did not hear a fight last night but said he heard a commotion when emergency services arrived.
“There were two hazmat trucks and a couple of other fire engines on the scene.
George said he heard his name mentioned through the wall by a police officer and, not realising it was the police, went outside to yell over the fence: “Oi, who the bloody hell do you want you pricks?”
He then discovered “Oh crap it’s a cop.”
George said he didn’t manage to get any sleep last night.
He said fighting couples are common in the adjoining flats, noting the previous tenants were much the same.
Another neighbour across the street did not hear anything happening last night but said he tried to stay away from the house on the corner.
