Busker jailed for knife attack

A 38-year-old Broome man was jailed for two years today after admitting to stabbing his partner with a knife he used to carve boab nuts for tourists.

The Broome District Court heard Ronnie Woia, a busker, had been sitting on a bench with his partner about 7.30pm on July 7, 2011, when the pair began to argue.

When the 42-year-old woman bent over to get a drink out of a plastic bag, Woia plunged the 19cm knife into her back, causing a deep wound that penetrated her chest cavity.

He told the woman he “had to do it” before walking away. The woman’s sister alerted authorities and she was taken to hospital to be treated for a ruptured lung – a life-threatening injury.

She was discharged several days later but returned to hospital after suffering complications and was flown down to Perth for specialised treatment.

Woia was apprehended by police soon after the incident and charged with aggravated grievous bodily harm.

Released on bail, he was taken into custody days later charged with breaching bail later after failing to appear in court.

Woia’s lawyer Ben White told the court his client was genuinely remorseful and dumbfounded by his own actions.

He said Woia had told him the woman’s family had been abusing and “humbugging” him for money to buy alcohol before the fight and he had eventually lost control.

“It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The response was way out of proportion,” Mr White said.

However, it was one blow and not a sustained attack, he said.

But prosecutor Amanda Burrows said there was no evidence of provocation and pointed out Woia had a long history of assaulting his de facto partners.

District Court judge Simon Stone imposed a lifetime violence restraining order on Woia and sentenced him to two years and one month in prison, with eligibility for parole.

He told Woia his drinking problems must be addressed, as his violence appeared to be escalating.

“Clearly, the victim’s life was endangered, she is likely to suffer permanent scars,” he said.