A 46-YEAR-OLD woman who hit a man on the head and poured a drink over him has admitted breaching her bail conditions twice by speaking to the victim following the incidents.
Nicola Jane Thompson wept as she was told she avoided custody “by the narrowest of margins”.
The Magistrate’s Court heard that Thompson poured a drink over the man in September last year and attacked him in March of this year.
She admitted being drunk and disorderly on licensed premises and grave and criminal assault, and was released on bail on condition that she had no contact with the victim.
Legal adviser Harrison Gollop, prosecuting, said that she had approached and spoken to him outside a town pub and encountered him while waiting for a takeaway.
Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, said of the meeting in the takeaway: “It was completely by chance. She appreciates that she should have left immediately.”
He added that Thompson was trying to tackle her drinking problem and had an appointment with Silkworth Lodge due shortly after her court appearance this week.
Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke said: “Why you thought it was a good idea to have a conversation with this man in a burger queue I have no idea.
“The court could not be criticised if it removed bail. You have shown contempt for the orders of this court.”
Thompson sobbed and thanked Mr Clarke for sparing her custody.
She is due to be sentenced next week.
