Axe-wielding claim; trial for woman

Press, 29 February 1984, Page 4

Axe-wielding claim; trial for woman

A woman, who went into a woodshed intending to kill herself instead found an axe and swung it at her estranged husband and another woman, as they lay in bed, the District Court was told yesterday. Treena Margaret Hampson, aged 40, a waitress, was committed to the High Court for trial by jury after a depositions hearing before Messrs C. Fisk and R. C. Holland, Justices of the Peace. She has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm to John Oswald Hampson and Judith Claire Pierce on January 10 with intent. Sergeant M. P. Caldwell said evidence would be that early in October, 1983, John Hampson and Treena Hampson separated after a lengthy period of dispute. Mr Hampson was already friendly with Mrs Pierce and their friendship developed after his separation. On the night of the alleged incident Mr Hampson and Mrs Pierce were at a North Beach house. Treena Hampson went to the ad-

dress, through the unlocked back door and to an upstairs bedroom, where a brief argument took place. It ended on a “friendly note" and Mr Hampson drove Treena Hampson to her flat where they parted on friendly terms. Later Treena Hampson went again to the North Beach house, removed her shoes, crept upstairs and listened outside the bedroom door. She then found an axe in the woodshed and entered the darkened bedroom, swinging it over her head. Mr Hampson was first aware of her presence when an ash tray on a shelf near his head was smashed. He saw her standing beside the bed. He put up his hands and was struck. He received a severe laceration to his left hand. Mrs Pierce received a laceration to her right hand, which had been lying across Mr Hampson’s throat. Mrs Pierce turned on a light and Mr Hampson struggled with Treena Hampson. Both complainants under-

went surgery for the injuries to their hands. Mr Caldwell said evidence would be given that Treena Hampson made a statement saying she intended to find a rope in the woodshed to hang herself. She found an axe, still planning to kill herself, but went upstairs and swung it at the complainants. Constable B. Lamb said that when he was called to the scene he asked Treena Hampson why she had the axe. She replied that she had caught Mr Hampson and Mrs Pierce in bed. Detective R. J. McCaskill said that during an interview Treena Hampson was emotionally upset about what she had done and broke down and cried two or three times. According to a statement attributed to Treena Hampson, she said that when she swung the axe her mind was “just a blank.” She had been totally numb. Hampson’s counsel, Mr H. D. P. van Schreven, reserved defence. Bail was continued.