Woman charged over Nickol meat cleaver incident

Karratha police have arrested a woman who allegedly wielded a meat cleaver at a man and baby on the side of a road in Nickol yesterday

Police allege the 40-year-old woman used the sharp, 20cm-bladed knife in a threatening manner towards her male partner while he was holding her 15-month-old grandchild, at about 4pm near the Nickol Road and Legendre Road intersection.

A male witness reported the incident to police before intervening to move the man and baby to a place of safety.

The woman has been charged with going armed in public with intent to cause fear.

She was refused bail and is due to appear in Karratha Magistrate’s Court tomorrow

Karratha police investigating officers First Class Constable Jasmine Wovodich and Constable Russell Churchley said police believed the woman had been under the influence of some kind of substance during the 10-minute domestic incident.

They praised the witness’ actions, but cautioned members of the public who come upon similar threatening situations to report them to police and “err on the side of caution” by keeping a safe distance away.

“The Karratha Good Samaritan should be praised for bringing it to the attention of us and trying to intervene,” they said.

“We think he’s done a really good job.”

“(But) it could have gone very wrong — she could have lashed out at him and he could have been hurt.”

Police asked anyone with information about similar incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.