The woman charged over a fire at a Koorawatha home in December has been granted bail, after her lawyer told the court her actions were a cry for help.
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Cassie Henderson, 31, fronted Young Local Court on Tuesday facing charges of damaging property by fire, common assault and destroying or damaging property.
She is yet to enter any pleas.
Police allege Henderson started the fire on December 3 in four separate locations within the house with an aerosol can and cigarette lighter, following an argument with her 44-year-old partner.
Police said the man - who had left the house after the domestic dispute - returned home to find the weatherboard house alight.
In court, police prosecutor Sergeant Steven Watterson opposed bail, saying she was an unacceptable risk of reoffending.
He said Henderson told police she would return to Koorawatha and burn more of the victim’s and his family’s property.
But Henderson’s solicitor Fiona Sams said the incident was a “cry for help”.
Ms Sams said Henderson’s partner had made her life a “living hell” and she was so terrified of him she wanted to be taken into custody.
“She felt she had no other way to get herself out of a life threatening situation,” Ms Sams said.
Ms Sam said comments made to the police - regarding further damaging the victim’s property - had been taken out of context.
The court heard Henderson was studying robotics at university before her life “spiralled out of control” after meeting her partner.
She said the defence would be seeking medical evidence to investigate Henderson’s state of mind at the time of the incident.
Local magistrate Peter Dare said it was clear Henderson was in need of help.
“Don’t let me down, I’m going out on a limb for you, some people might criticise me for this (granting bail),” he said.
“We’ll try to bring you back to earth again.”
He granted her bail to reappear at Young Local Court on March 3.
