A woman who repeatedly struck a guy in the head with a hammer while terrified bystanders watched has been released from jail.
On July 13, 2020, Kirsty Smith, 33, stormed out of her house in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, brandishing the object in the street before swinging her fist at the man.
The man received a head injury. Currently, Smith is subject to a 12-month community order.
Smith and her victim both had a passion for horses, according to evidence presented at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, but their relationship soured during a Facebook conversation in which Smith expressed concerns for the welfare of a horse named Daisy.
Smith reported that when the man and two other persons suddenly appeared in her street, she was terrified.
According to the prosecutor, David Jackson, the defendant and her victim had been friends for four years.
They got along well up until November 2019 when they had a falling out over Facebook, according to Mr. Jackson.
‘Things came to a head on July 13, 2020, over a slew of texts about a horse owned by the man named Daisy. To 2:00 PM, he and two other women showed up at her house.
The defendant emerged and sprinted past the woman in the direction of the man holding the hammer. She struck his skull four times with her fist as she lashed out. He succeeded in pushing her away.
“She returned to her home.” He became aware of his gushing head wound. The accused was detained.
Smith claimed to have received a threat during her police interview.
Smith admitted to violence that actually caused physical harm. She made this request because she felt scared and afraid because several strangers were at her house.
She acknowledged using her jewelry, which included a sovereign ring, to make contact with the man’s head and cause the injuries.
Smith was “embarrassed,” “ashamed,” “anxious,” and afraid of the possible outcomes of the court hearing, according to mitigating witness Anis Ali.
She will argue that the offense is the result of months of alleged harassment, intimidation, and threats directed at her by the complainant, according to Mr. Ali.
Both a hospital bed and a gunshot were mentioned. It is hardly shocking that she experienced terror.
She expressed her dismay and anxiety. He was surrounded by other people. Her response was unplanned, abrupt, and of little duration.
“It was extreme self-defense, and her jewelry was to blame for the injuries.” It was not used or intended to be used as a weapon.
Smith has a 35-day rehabilitative activity obligation as part of the community order.
A three-year restraining order was also issued against her, preventing her from speaking to her victim.
Judge Graeme Smith pronounced: “This man was hurt by you almost two years ago. Fortunately, the damage was not severe.
A horse’s health and well-being were the subject of a communication exchange. He eventually came to your property as a result of that. He did not act alone.
On Facebook, you were making fun of him. He mistreated you.
“I recognize that you were worried and afraid when he arrived. It doesn’t make what you did okay. You wouldn’t be in this situation today if you had stayed inside rather than confronted him outside.
He was hurt because “you struck him with your hand and you just so happened to be wearing jewelry.”