Woman admits brutal assaults on elderly victims; her mother's partner attacks camera crew
Violence has erupted outside a Melbourne court after a woman admitted going on a four-day crime spree, which included brutal attacks on two elderly victims.
Supporters of Tammy Phillips, who remains in custody after pleading guilty to 10 charges, clashed with media outside court on Thursday.
Ms Phillips' mother's partner was asked to calm down after punching a camera multiple times outside the court.
“F*** off y’idiot,” he yelled.
“What have you got your camera in my face for?”
Phillips’ violent crimes began with a burglary in Melton and included an armed robbery at a milk bar in Melton West and the two separate attacks on elderly victims in June.
Victim Mavis Dillon suffered a fractured eye socket when she was punched in the face and shoved to the ground as Phillips stole her car.
“I’ve never been frightened in my life,” the 87-year-old said.
“I’ve been through lots of things and survived.
“But this one, I’m gonna live it for a while.”
Ms Dillon was one of two brutal attacks carried out by Phillips, with the second attack on a 74-year-old woman at a Cohuna supermarket carpark.
On that occasion, the assault was witnessed by the victim’s three-year-old grand-daughter.
Phillips was arrested just two hours after the Cohuna attack and the weapon that she had threatened the women with was later discovered to be fake.
She later wrote a letter to the court expressing her remorse.
“I know I had a fake gun and took some lady’s card and car,” the letter read.
“I am really sorry. I was very messed up and I don’t really know who I am any more.
“I am truly sorry to you and to my victims with every bit of my heart.”
The court heard Phillips has been jailed three times previously, but does not recall the details of those matters.
When asked whether she pleaded guilty or not guilty to the current charges, she replied: "yeah".
Phillips will now undergo a medical assessment and return to court in March.
