Jordan Spencer, 34, of Shepparton, has pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence.
The court earlier heard that she had thrown petrol on a 20-year-old woman and used a lighter to set the fuel alight on January 15 last year.
The victim suffered serious burns and was in a coma for three and a half months at a Melbourne hospital.
On Thursday, August 21, the court heard from a psychologist who had interviewed Spencer.
Psychologist Courtney Steffens told the court Spencer had been suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder.
Prosecutor John Dickie and defence barrister James McQuillan questioned Ms Steffens about the degree of fear and anger that Spencer had exhibited on the day of the incident. She spent about four hours in the witness box.
Justice Andrew Tinney said there was no doubt Spencer suffered a mental health condition but the nexus between her mental state and what she did on the day in question had not been clearly established.
“An objective look at the facts of the case seems to make it clear that she was not acting out of fear at all,” he said.
Justice Tinney drew attention to the statements recorded by Spencer and directed at the victim in which she said “You come here, you f..... whore” and “Come in, the door is open. I will give you what you deserve” just prior to the attack.
The court had earlier heard that the victim went to Spencer’s house. The victim had thrown a rubbish bin at the front door and threw a rock at the house.
At the suggestion of her partner, Spencer had kept a bowl of petrol on the floor inside the house for use in her protection.
Mr McQuillan told the court anger played a primary role in why his client acted the way she did.
He said Spencer had experienced a “deprived, dysfunctional and disadvantaged childhood”, witnessing domestic violence against her mother, who also asked her to leave home at 14 years old, deepening fears of abandonment and rejection.
The hearing has been adjourned pending further submissions by the defence and the prosecution, which are expected to be heard on Monday, August 25
Spencer was remanded in custody.
Sentencing, at a date to be fixed, will be in Melbourne.
5°C