Judge says Whanganui woman has 'one foot inside' prison after fourth assault

When sentencing Skye Bowlin to community detention and supervision this week, Judge Philip Crayton warned her that she was "one foot inside" of prison. Photo / File

Judge Philip Crayton told a defendant that she had "one foot inside" prison when sentencing her for a fourth assault offence in Whanganui District Court this week.

Skye Bowlin was convicted of common assault after an incident in which she made her victim fall to the ground and caused her a laceration that required stitches.

Judge Crayton sentenced Bowlin to six months' community detention and 12 months' intensive supervision.

"Ms Bowlin, I know that there was some background to this offending, but once again you found yourself assaulting someone because, whatever the history, you lost your temper," the Judge said.

"You caused the victim to fall and by your actions you caused her a significant injury which was a laceration, bruising above her left eye and bruising to her hips and arms."

Bowlin was sentenced to supervision for assault in January 2017 and was still serving that sentence with special conditions when she committed this most recent assault.

She has previously appeared before the court for assault in 2009 and 2013 and on those occasions she was sentenced to community work.

Judge Crayton acknowledged that Bowlin now has a young child.

"You've got responsibilities and you're going to be absolutely no use whatsoever to your child if you're in prison," he said.

"And bluntly, you are one foot inside, if it is your unwise choice to put yourself at risk again of a conviction of violence, I think you know, that you'll be going to prison."