2004: WOMAN JAILED AFTER UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON GIRL, 16
A woman with a history of alcohol and mental health issues has been sentenced to prison following a violent, unprovoked attack on a teenager.Magistrates explained they had no alternative but to send Erica Kelly, 33, of Gamekeepers Drive, Brickfields, Worcester, to jail, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard the public.
On September 22 of the previous year, Kelly disembarked from a bus in Worcester and began shouting at a 16-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, as detailed during her court hearing.
Prosecutor Sally Badham stated that Kelly, despite not knowing the girl, threatened to kill her, then forcibly pushed her to the ground.
Witnesses reported Kelly sat on the teenager, pressed an umbrella against her throat, and assaulted her by punching and hitting her across the face with the umbrella.
Defense lawyer Mark Sheward explained that Kelly had endured psychiatric issues for years, including auditory hallucinations.
Court records showed that Kelly also faced charges of assaulting a police officer and criminal damage, which she had pleaded guilty to previously.
In a January trial, Kelly was convicted of using threatening language or behavior and assault by beating related to the incident.
Yesterday, she received concurrent sentences of six months for each charge.
Having served six weeks in custody, she was told she would remain in detention for a total of six months.
