Jamie Peterson, 23, of Canadian, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to a string of charges including recklessly causing injury. 

Peterson had been in custody since February 27, the day he and two co-accused were arrested over the daylight attack.

The court heard Peterson and his co-accused were walking along Joseph Street, Canadian, about 7pm on February 27 when they spotted a cat which they chased into the grounds at Lake Esmond. 

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Michelle Kilburn said the owners of the cat confronted the group at Lake Esmond before Peterson stabbed one male in the hand while a co-accused allegedly punched a 13-year-old girl. 

The court heard Peterson’s victim required treatment at hospital for the stab wound. 

Peterson was originally charged with recklessly causing serious injury. He pleaded guilty yesterday to the lesser charge of recklessly causing injury. 

Peterson’s lawyer told the court his client had suffered since the death of his new born baby in 2011. 

The lawyer said Peterson also had drug issues, adding his two co-accused had been living with Peterson and were bad influences. 

Magistrate Ian Von Einem said the offending was particularly “nasty”. 

Mr Von Einem sentenced Peterson to three months in jail, with his time already served being taken into account. 

Peterson was also ordered to undertake a community correction order upon his release from prison.