A young woman who smashed a bottle at the feet of tradie Cam Smith's girlfriend as she rushed to his aid says she's grieving too for what happened.
Mr Smith, a carpenter remembered for his zest for life, died after being set upon while standing up for his girlfriend outside Seaford train station last year.
Mr Smith and his girlfriend Natasha Stroumos were off to have dinner by the beach when they were confronted by a group including 21-year-old Scarlett Taylor.
Angry words were exchanged over an incident dating back to a New Year's Eve party when Mr Smith had inadvertently taken a drink belonging to Taylor.
Jack Ledlin is charged with Mr Smith's murder and is set to stand trial. Taylor and Liam Casley both pleaded guilty to affray charges over the incident. Casley was sentenced to eight months' jail for kicking Mr Smith after he was stabbed.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Michael Croucher was told on Monday that Taylor played no physical part in the affray but had hurled verbal abuse at the couple and smashed a bottle at Ms Stroumos' feet to stop her rushing to help her boyfriend.
"I didn't want any of this to happen. I'm grieving him too, he will always be a part of me for the rest of my life too," Taylor said through her lawyer Megan Casey.
"I'll never forget, I'm really sorry."
Taylor also admitted breaching bail conditions, which required her to live with her mother.
Ms Casey said Taylor had a problematic relationship with her mother. After an argument with her daughter, her mother called triple-zero to say she didn't want Taylor living with her.
Taylor was taken back into custody over Christmas and New Year before later being bailed to live with her older sister.
She said Taylor is now working and wants to study, although is unsure which direction she wants to go in.
Justice Croucher had encouraging words for the young woman who finished school at year 10.
"When I was 22 I had only completed year 10, so there you go," he said.
Ms Casey suggested community work might be a fitting punishment but Justice Croucher wasn't inclined to go down that path.
"While people can manage a job and community work I don't think there should be any impediment to her working or doing other rehabilitative things she should be doing," he said.
"I don't think community work is necessary or desirable in a case like hers."
He said Taylor had experienced more in her young life than many do in a lifetime.
Taylor will be sentenced next month.
Australian Associated Press
