A Perth mother has avoided prison after stabbing her daughter's boyfriend, believing he was an intruder. Jennifer Mui Len Chin, 49, was found guilty of causing bodily harm in August 2023. The incident occurred in October 2021 when Chin discovered the 14-year-old boy in her home, semi-naked and hiding under a blanket with her daughter.

Chin claimed she did not know the boy had been invited into their home and thought he was a threat. During her trial, it was revealed that her daughter had been secretly seeing the boy, despite Chin's strict rules against dating due to her Christian beliefs. On the night of the stabbing, Chin noticed her husband's bedroom door closed and forced her way in, finding the boy and her daughter together.

In a panic, Chin instructed her six-year-old son to fetch a knife. She then confronted the boy as he attempted to leave, stabbing him twice in the chest. The teenager sustained superficial wounds and did not require surgery, but he reported ongoing psychological issues and nightmares following the incident.

During sentencing, Judge Belinda Lonsdale noted that Chin showed no remorse for her actions. "I suspect you have convinced yourself that your behavior was justified," she said. Chin's lawyer argued that she was thrust into a chaotic situation and reacted out of fear for her family's safety.

The court heard that Chin's relationship with her daughter deteriorated after the incident, with the teenager moving in with her grandparents. Judge Lonsdale decided to suspend Chin's three-year prison sentence for two years, emphasizing that this was not a lenient option. She ordered Chin to complete supervision and program requirements to address the harm caused by her actions.

Chin left the court without serving immediate jail time, but the judge warned her that the suspended sentence was a serious matter, not a soft option. The case highlights the complexities of family dynamics and the consequences of extreme reactions in perceived threats.