A Pembroke Dock woman has been handed a restraining order after assaulting another female whose boyfriend owed her money, a court heard this week.
Thirty-four-year-old Louise Hallett, of Elizabeth Court, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating when she appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told magistrates that the assault occurred on July 26, with a statement from the victim to the police claiming that Miss Hallett came around to her home at around 6 pm and grabbed her by the neck with both hands.
“The victim didn’t really know the defendant, but said that she knew who she was locally. Miss Hallett made claims that the victim’s boyfriend owed her £75 which she had lent to them, and threatened that if she didn’t have it repaid, she would go around and hit her.
“On Wednesday, July 26, there was banging at the complainant’s door and when she answered it, Miss Hallett grabbed her neck with both hands.
“She was like a raging bull and was trying to get the victim on the floor. The victim told police that she honestly thought that Miss Hallett was going to kill her, and she was eventually pulled off by her boyfriend who was upstairs at the time.
“The defendant left the scene after the couple’s children walked in asking for money for the ice cream van, and that dissipated the argument,” continued Ms Morgan.
“The victim was left with red marks and scratches to her neck and ear, telling police that she couldn’t believe how aggressive Miss Hallett was.
“She said that she is concerned as her attacker lives close by and is frightened what she might do next.
“When police interviewed Miss Hallett, she made a full denial and claimed that she didn’t know who the complainant was and had never been to her address,” she added.
Defence solicitor Stacey Holmes told the court that Miss Hallett had not gone around to the victim’s home with the intention to attack her, but that her emotions got the better of her.
“She has since shown remorse and accepted that she was wrong. Miss Hallett, who is unemployed, suffers with severe anxiety and from clinical depression, but is getting treatment at Haven Way hospital.
“She has no violence related incidents on record, and this is completely out of character,” added Ms Holmes.
Probation officer Julie Norman provided a report for magistrates, explaining that Miss Hallett suffered with mental health issues and has been diagnosed with psychosis and clinical depression, for which she is receiving medication and treatment.
Chief magistrate David Ellis told Miss Hallett that this was a particularly ‘unpleasant and unprovoked’ attack, before imposing a community order on the defendant, with a 7 pm to 7 am curfew for a 10-week period.
Miss Hallett was given a restraining order not to contact directly or indirectly the complainant.
She was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim and also prosecution costs of £85 and an £85 victim surcharge.