A mental health worker was punched, spat on and had her hair pulled while driving a client through Geelong, a court has heard. Samantha Macumber, 22, admitted on Monday to launching the assault during a spate of offences committed within weeks of being bailed by a County Court judge. The North Geelong woman was sentenced to a 60-day prison term — allowing her to walk free due to time served — after she pleaded guilty to two assaults, theft and using threatening words. The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard Macumber was in a car with a support worker when the first incident occurred on November 12 last year. The victim was an employee with Ermha, an agency supporting people with disabilities and mental health issues. Prosecutor Chris Capuano said Macumber had been told to stop adjusting the vehicle’s climate settings before she lashed out, striking the worker’s cheek, pulling the woman’s hair and spitting on her. He said the victim exited the car in an attempt to escape the assault, while Macumber threatened to slit her throat. One week later, Macumber stole a man’s phone, while in a separate incident on November 24, she attacked her ex-partner with scissors. The offences took place while Macumber was on bail and awaiting sentencing for five assaults and two attempted armed robberies in central Geelong. Previous court hearings have been told Macumber had long-established intellectual and psychological conditions. The support worker that Macumber attacked was in court on Monday. Defence lawyer Greg Thomas said his client generally had a “very good” relationship with her workers. Macumber appeared at the hearing via video link from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Magistrate Peter Mellas sentenced Macumber to time served but said she needed to curb her behaviour. “You will get out today, but you need to behave, particularly towards the people who are trying to help you,” he said.
