Samantha Joyce Perry, 27, appeared briefly via audio visual link from South Coast Correctional Centre on charges of wounding with intent to murder and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm for an incident in Sapphire Marketplace on Saturday.

Magistrate David O’Connor adjourned the case to Bega Local Court on June 28 and ordered Perry to undergo a psychiatric assessment.

Her bail refusal continues.

It is alleged Perry stabbed a 42-year-old woman in the neck outside the shopping centre’s Big W store after an argument.

It is alleged the pair were arguing in an elevator just after 1pm before Perry returned to her vehicle to retrieve a weapon. She then allegedly returned to the shopping centre and continued the fight with the older woman before stabbing her and fleeing.

Paramedics treated the victim at the scene before she was taken to South East Regional Hospital with critical injuries. She was then airlifted to Canberra Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.

As of this week the woman is believed to be in a critical but stable condition in Canberra Hospital.

Officers attached to Far South Coast Local Area Command established a crime scene inside the shopping centre.

Detective Sergeant Justin Marks, of Bega Police, said Perry and the alleged victim were known to each other, but not related.

Just before 2pm on Saturday, Perry attended Bega Police Station and handed in the weapon, which will undergo forensic examination.

She was subsequently charged with wounding with intent to murder and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Perry faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Sunday afternoon and applied for bail, but it was refused and she was remanded in custody at South Coast Correctional Centre.

Anyone who witnessed the stabbing is urged to contact Bega Police on 6492 9999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.