A woman has admitted her role in a violent shooting incident in the small Western District town of Beeac, leaving a man with serious injuries.
Guilty Plea Entered in Colac Court
Samantha Rochford, 31, appeared before the Colac Magistrates' Court on Tuesday where she pleaded guilty to a charge of intentionally causing injury. The charge stems from a shooting that occurred on January 12 of this year in Beeac, located approximately 40 kilometres from Colac.
The court heard that the incident involved a firearm being discharged, resulting in a man sustaining significant injuries. While specific details of the victim's condition were not fully disclosed in the plea hearing, the charge of intentionally causing injury indicates the harm was considered serious by authorities.
Details of the Incident and Police Response
Emergency services were called to the scene in Beeac on the evening of January 12 following reports of a shooting. Police from the Colac area responded and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence.
The investigation led to the arrest and charging of Samantha Rochford in connection with the event. The charge she has now pleaded guilty to, intentionally causing injury, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment under Victorian law, highlighting the gravity of the offence.
The case has shocked the local community in Beeac, a town with a population of around 300 people, where such violent crimes are rare.
Next Steps and Sentencing
With the guilty plea now formally recorded, the case has been adjourned for a plea hearing at a later date. This next stage will involve the prosecution presenting a summary of the facts and the defence making submissions on behalf of Rochford before a magistrate determines an appropriate sentence.
The court will consider factors including the severity of the victim's injuries, the circumstances leading to the shooting, and Rochford's personal history and remorse. A date for this plea hearing is expected to be set in the coming weeks.
The outcome serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of violent actions, particularly those involving firearms, in regional communities across Victoria.
