Bellambi Woman Escapes Custody After Microwave Throwing Incident
A Bellambi woman who hurled a microwave at another person during a heated dispute over leaked personal information has avoided a prison sentence, with a Wollongong magistrate instead imposing a community-based order.
Court Appearance and Charges
Yakyak Stanley McGuiness, aged 39, appeared before Wollongong Local Court on January 22, where she pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and two charges of contravening an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. The court heard details of two separate incidents that led to the charges.
The Microwave Incident
According to official court documents, the initial confrontation occurred on December 27, 2025, at a residence in West Wollongong. McGuiness and the victim became embroiled in an argument after personal information about the victim appeared online.
During the altercation, while the victim was resting on a lounge and watching television, McGuiness became enraged and picked up a microwave oven. She then threw the appliance directly at the woman, though it fortunately missed its target. The frightened victim immediately fled to the rear of the property to escape further violence.
McGuiness pursued her and attempted to pour a glass of water over the victim, but dropped the glass when the woman stood up. When McGuiness refused to leave the premises, authorities were contacted and police attended the scene.
The court was also presented with a text message McGuiness had sent to the victim, which read: "I gave your number and address to the world just in case. You and your dogs [sic] up to something I'll have got protection from you, Amen." McGuiness was arrested later that same day.
Second ADVO Breach
Despite being subject to an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order, McGuiness returned to the victim's home on January 13. When police officers arrived at the property, they discovered McGuiness standing in the kitchen area. She was subsequently handcuffed and escorted from the premises.
Sentencing and Legal Arguments
During sentencing submissions, defence lawyer Lewis Etheredge argued that his client had not intended to strike the victim with the microwave. Instead, he claimed McGuiness threw the appliance in an attempt to "end the argument" that had escalated between them.
Mr Etheredge informed the court that his client had agreed to a no-contact ADVO and now plans to address her impulse control issues. "She wants to move on and take care of herself," the defence lawyer stated during proceedings.
Magistrate B Robinson noted that McGuiness was already on bail when she committed the second breach of the ADVO. "You got yourself in bother," Magistrate Robinson remarked, acknowledging that the charges were serious enough to potentially warrant a custodial sentence.
Ultimately, the magistrate sentenced McGuiness to a one-year community correction order, allowing her to avoid imprisonment while still facing consequences for her actions.
