A Perth mother who stabbed her daughter's secret boyfriend during a heated confrontation at their family home has walked away from court with a suspended prison term.
Jennifer Mui Len Chin, 53, faced the Western Australia District Court after pleading guilty to unlawfully wounding the 23-year-old man who had been secretly dating her daughter.
The Night That Changed Everything
The court heard how tensions erupted on February 11, 2023, when Chin discovered the young man hiding in her daughter's bedroom at their Parkwood residence. The mother-of-two had been unaware of the relationship and became enraged upon finding the man in her home.
During the altercation that followed, Chin armed herself with a knife and stabbed the boyfriend in the upper body, leaving him with serious injuries that required hospital treatment.
Court Shows Mercy
Judge Carmel Barbagallo acknowledged the "highly emotional circumstances" surrounding the incident, noting that Chin had acted out of maternal protection rather than premeditated violence. Her Honour described the situation as a "perfect storm" of family conflict and poor judgment.
Despite the seriousness of the offense, the judge accepted that Chin was genuinely remorseful and had no prior criminal history. The court also considered psychological reports indicating Chin suffered from significant stress and anxiety at the time of the incident.
Suspended Sentence Imposed
Instead of immediate imprisonment, Judge Barbagallo handed Chin a 12-month suspended sentence, meaning she will avoid jail unless she reoffends during that period. The sentence reflects the court's view that this was an isolated incident unlikely to be repeated.
"This was a single act of violence committed in exceptional circumstances," Judge Barbagallo stated during sentencing. "While the court cannot condone such behaviour, we must consider the full context of what occurred."
The case has highlighted the complex dynamics of family relationships and the extreme reactions that can occur when parents discover their children's secret romantic involvements.
