Published date: 27 July 2016 |
Published by: Lydia MorrisRead more articles by Lydia Morris
A GANG of four attacked a disabled woman and hit her with her own crutch in a ‘disgraceful’ affray in Flintshire, a court heard.
Four defendants left a party and made their way to a house in Buckley where they assaulted two people.
Rebecca Barker, 41, of Chester Road, Sandycroft, Kevin Underhill, 47, of Riverside Park, Garden City, Lucy Hammond, 26, now living in protected accommodation, and her mother, Susan Williams, 41, of Riverside Park, Garden City, all admitted causing an affray in Buckley in March, 2015.
Each was given a 12 month suspended sentence and a three month curfew from 9pm until 6am and they were ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge for their equal roles in the attack.
Prosecutor David Mainstone told Mold Crown Court yesterday that Hammond and Williams got into a taxi to Asda in Queensferry to buy some alcohol and later went to a party at a friend’s house.
Following an argument with her boyfriend at the time, Hammond left the party and went to see her partner’s ex-girlfriend in Buckley as she was of the view that the relationship was continuing.
Williams, Underhill and Baker followed Hammond to the property in Buckley where the attack took place.
At 1.30am on Sunday, March 22, Denise Unwin, a disabled woman and Michael Sheppey, who were at the house at the time, heard someone at the back door. Williams grabbed Ms Unwin by the hair and threw her on the floor.
Mr Mainstone told the court Mr Sheppey called the police and told them to come urgently.
Hammond grabbed Ms Unwin and pulled her to the floor, then lifted a glass coffee table next to
Ms Unwin and slammed it to the floor. Glass shattered all over the victim.
As Ms Unwin tried to get back on her feet, Williams, who was shouting aggressively towards her, took her crutch and hit her once more.
Underhill then made a swing for Mr Sheppey before Barker grabbed a plate and smashed it on his head.
The court heard Mr Sheppey and Ms Unwin were left with a number of cuts and bruises from the attack.
Mr Mainstone said: “Following the incident Mr Sheppey said he is unable to stay at home alone and is worried he cannot sleep.”
The court heard how Ms Unwin suffered from panic attacks following the assault and could not stop thinking about the incident.
Mr Mainstone added: “Ms Unwin is scared in her own home and fears they will come back to damage her home and her cars.”
Oliver King, defending Baker, said: “I can say with confidence that this was out of character for her. She was swept along with the incident on the night.
“Her life is not without problems. The effects of her past relationships have had an effect on her mental health.”
John Hedgecoe, defending Underhill, said he had shown remorse and was ‘a man of good character who has a low risk of
reoffending’.
Andrew Green, representing Williams, said she ‘leads a modest life’ despite her mental health issues following domestic abuse in a previous relationship.
Mr Green said Williams was disappointed about what she did that night and was also at a low risk of reoffending.
Phil Clemo, representing Hammond, said she had faced difficulties through her life after being brought up in care and had recently been put in a safe home as she had suffered domestic abuse from a previous partner.
The judge Mr Recorder Duncan Bould said: “This was a thoroughly disgraceful incident towards a lady who had not invited you into her home.
“She should have been able to enjoy the comfort of her home.
“There is no excuse for the disgraceful incident that took place that night.”
He added: “It could be said Miss Hammond started it by encouraging others to come along.
“Considering Miss Williams’ age and level of maturity, she should have known better than to deal with incident with violence and aggression.
“Each of you failed in that regard.”
see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/164759/gang-of-four-batter-disabled-woman-from-buckley-with-her-crutch.aspx
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