A 59-year-old woman from Wollongong has been accused of stabbing her daughter-in-law and grandson during a roadside incident, with her lawyer suggesting that the behavior may have been linked to the medication Ozempic. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was denied bail by Magistrate Geraldine Beattie during a court hearing on Thursday morning. She has been in custody since June 2023.
The incident reportedly took place as the woman followed her 27-year-old daughter-in-law while she was driving with her two children, aged 10 and 3, to judo practice. Authorities allege that she forced her daughter-in-law to pull over on West Dapto Road in Wongawilli, where she then stabbed the woman in the abdomen. It is claimed that the accused subsequently attacked the 10-year-old boy, stabbing him in the neck. Both victims required hospitalization, with the boy spending two days in care and the mother four days, receiving stitches for their injuries.
The woman faces two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which carry a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, along with a minimum non-parole period of seven years. During the bail hearing, Magistrate Beattie emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting, “Their injuries weren’t life-threatening but still serious.”
Defense Claims Medication Influence
The defense attorney, Laura Fennell, argued that her client had no prior criminal history and had “lived her life without incident.” She described the alleged attack as “completely out of character” for the woman. The court heard that the accused had been using Ozempic at the time of the incident. Fennell suggested that the medication might have contributed to her client’s behavior, stating that the woman had suffered from major depressive disorder for over 25 years, which was exacerbated by family issues.
A forensic psychiatrist who evaluated the accused indicated that her mental health history could have made her particularly vulnerable to the side effects of Ozempic. According to court documents, the psychiatrist concluded that the medication might have had a “toxic effect” on her metabolism, potentially leading to violent behavior. Magistrate Beattie referenced this assessment, noting that the psychiatrist had cited concerns regarding the medication’s possible links to violent actions, despite not directly connecting Ozempic to violence in existing studies.
Concerns Over Community Safety
During the proceedings, the accused reportedly expressed confusion over her actions, telling police that she had “no idea” why she committed the alleged offenses, stating, “something came over her to do it.” Magistrate Beattie characterized the prosecution’s case as “overwhelming,” while also acknowledging that the woman’s lack of previous criminal behavior worked in her favor. Nonetheless, she expressed concerns about the potential risk the accused could pose to the community, stating, “There could still be another instance of her putting people at risk.”
The court has scheduled a committal hearing for October, as police continue to investigate the incident. The community remains unsettled following the shocking events, with many locals expressing disbelief over the alleged actions of a long-time resident.
The case highlights the ongoing discussions around the side effects of medications like Ozempic, which are primarily used for managing conditions such as diabetes and obesity, and raises questions about their broader implications on mental health and behavior.
