Albury woman 'breathed' heavily on officer as she was placed under arrest

Janet Cooper stood behind the screen door of her Wyse Street unit and refused to let them in.

When they managed to do so, Albury Local Court has heard, they tried to arrest her again.

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But as one officer held Cooper, she looked him in the eye and "expelled a heavy breath towards him".

Police arrested her and led her from the unit, though on their way out they saw what appeared to be a replica firearm on top of a mobility scooter just inside the front door.

Cooper was taken to the police vehicle, where she was searched.

She told them: "I have had COVID since March 24, which is why I'm under medical orders."

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Cooper, 68, pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including not keep firearm safely, possess an unauthorised firearm, possess an unregistered but not prohibited firearm or pistol and assault police with the intention of inflicting actual bodily harm.

Defence lawyer Sascha McCorriston said Cooper had been an "upstanding" member of the community, even with past offences, and had run several businesses, though had been affected by the death of a child 17 years ago.

"At the end of last year she had a significant mental health breakdown," she said.

Ms McCorriston said that required specialist hospitalisation.

The court was told how the victim returned to his home in Wyse Street on August 30, 2020, to find Cooper - wearing a long, grey coat - standing in front of his front door, telling him: "I've written a letter to Housing about you."

When he tried to get past Cooper, she produced the 30-centimetre knife.

He fled inside in fear and police were called.

Magistrate Richard Funston accepted she had mental health issues, "but you need to get help to not commit the offences next time".

Cooper was convicted and put on a 12-month conditional release order.

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