Geraldton mum Brigette Alexis Karene Michelle Roberts told to stay clean or be sent straight to jail as her sentence for stabbing abusive ex-partner is delayed

A meth-addicted Geraldton mother who stabbed her abusive partner in the shoulder with a knife will be spared jail — if she can convince a magistrate she has quit using. Brigette Alexis Karene Michelle Roberts, 27, pleaded guilty to aggravated unlawful wounding over the incident, which happened at the couple’s Rangeway home last June. Roberts’ now-former partner — who has since been jailed for assaults against her — received stitches for the wound, which magistrate Chris Miocevich described as “extremely serious”. Roberts was to be sentenced in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, but Mr Miocevich delayed sentencing after he learnt she had tested positive for meth in March and had failed to provide urine samples since then. Despite this, she insisted she had not used drugs for “four or five” months. “That’s not what’s shown in the reports, so that worries me,” Mr Miocevich replied. “You’ve clearly got an addiction ... and usually people with addictions just lie through their teeth. I’ve got to tell you, on its face, I really just don’t believe that at all.” Mr Miocevich said the wounding was so serious it would ordinarily warrant imprisonment, but noted Roberts — who suffers post-traumatic stress disorder — “had been the victim of domestic violence for a long period of time at the hands of various partners”. He adjourned sentencing to June 22 so she could recommence urine analysis immediately. “If you don’t start attending those tests, or your levels stay the same or increase, I’m just going to jail you,” he said. “Even if it comes back positive that first time, I’m not just going to lock you up ... The worst thing you can do is not turn up for your test.” * Domestic violence helplines: 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT and www.188respect.org.au); Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline 08 9223 1188; Emergencies WA Police 000.