Pamila-Raye Jetta: Woman faces court over alleged attack of toddler at shopping centre in East Victoria Park

The woman arrested over the shocking attack on a toddler at an East Victoria Park shopping centre will remain behind bars but in a specialised mental health unit, a court has been told.

Pamila-Raye Jetta appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with assaulting the two-year-old while she was being held in her mother’s arms as they walked through the Park Centre just after 11am on Tuesday.

The alleged attack left the little girl with facial injuries.

During the brief hearing, the court was told Ms Jetta, who was dressed in a blue boiler suit, had a history of mental health issues and was “known” to both Melaleuca and Bandyup women’s prisons.

Aboriginal Legal Services lawyer Karen Bamforth had asked for her client to undergo a mental health assessment before appearing with the matter stood down for several hours.

When it returned, Ms Bamforth asked Magistrate Sandra De Maio not to make a hospital order that would send her to the Frankland Centre – despite the recommendation – saying there was an opportunity for the 21-year-old to receive the right treatment as part of a specialised program.

A mental health nurse who assessed Ms Jetta prior to her hearing told the court the young woman was known to both women’s prisons and said if she was remanded in custody she would be taken to the dedicated mental health unit where she would receive appropriate treatment.

He said he spoke with the Frankland Centre which advised even if she was transferred to it for assessment, it was unlikely it could accommodate her. He also told the court Ms Jetta had complied with treatment when in prison before.

Ms De Maio granted the request and adjourned her matter until November for further legal advice.