A woman who works in an MP’s constituency office has been convicted of punching another woman in the face at a North Wales nightclub in a row over a handbag.
Diane Griffiths, 35, punched Shan Jones in Cofi Roc in Caernarfon after someone shouted that Miss Jones had taken her handbag.
Miss Jones had left on a shelf near the DJ’s booth, and when she started to leave Griffiths, of Llys Tryfan, Caernarfon, approached her in a temper and punched her twice in the face.
Miss Jones was left shocked, and after leaving the club she decided to call by Griffiths’ Caernarfon home to ask for an explanation.
The prosecution alleged that Griffiths - who works for Plaid Cymru Arfon MP Hywel Williams- shouted at her, forced her to the ground and began to punch her repeatedly, shouting “Don’t ever come to my house again and make trouble”.
Miss Jones lost a tooth and had a cut to her eyebrow, which although glued up started to gape and become infected.
Interviewed by police, Griffiths said she had acted in self-defence but in giving evidence at Mold Crown Court, she said Miss Jones had suffered the injuries when she fell and hit her head.
She was cleared on the alleged assault outside her home, but found guilty of the first charge.
She wept with relief in the dock.
The judge, Miss Recorder Lynne Morgan, in the circumstances fined Griffiths £250 with £750 costs and a £100 criminal court charge.
After the verdicts, her barrister Paulinus Barnes told the court that his client was a young lady of good character in a responsible job.
The conviction for common assault would have a serious effect on her in any event, he said, and suggested a fine or conditional discharge.
‘MP had been supportive of her’
Asked about her finances, he said that she and her partner were now separated and she was effectively a single parent.
She was uncertain what her employment future would be given the conviction.
“She is not sure if she will be able to continue in that employment,” Mr Barnes explained.
He said that compensation was not appropriate because it was accepted that there had been no injury following the initial assault in the club.
Miss Recorder Morgan said that she based her fine on the basis that she would continue in her job.
Her employer had been supportive so far and when considering her future he would no doubt look at her employment history, she said.
Sentencing Griffiths, she said she committed the offence of common assault on licensed premises where people were out enjoying themselves.
For full story see - http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mps-office-aide-assaulted-woman-10327518
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