Sheffield neighbours attacked a single mother living next door to them whilst her child was at home.
Defendants Kayley Walsh, Chelsea Bottomley, and Gavin Bottomley all appeared in Sheffield Crown Court after pleading guilty for assault occasioning bodily harm on their neighbour, Melissa Wilson.
At 9pm on 17 September, 2019 Mrs Wilson was at home with her son when she heard shouting coming from outside her window.
The shouting was coming from Gavin Bottomley, 41, one of the three neighbours, who was of the mistaken belief that Mrs Wilson was the reason why their home had been burgled.
Prosecutor, Zaiban Alam told the court that Kayley Walsh, 35, kicked down Mrs Wilson’s door and dragged her outside where she punched the mother in the head three to four times.
Mrs Wilson had tried to run for help, however Walsh chased after her and continued to punch the victim until she fell onto the ground.
Chelsea Bottomley, 38, joined Walsh in kicking Mrs Wilson whilst she was lying on the floor.
Walsh proceeded to hit the victim with a brick, and then hit her on the head using her son’s scooter.
As a result Mrs Wilson sustained a fractured cheekbone and thumb, and police officers described her injuries as: “Bloody and swollen.”
Sentencing, Judge Peter Kelson was critical of the four year delay in bringing the case to court, which impacted his sentencing decision.
He said: “This brings shame onto the system; this was a serious attack.
“This night has been hanging over the victim’s head for four years, and if you all had come to the court at the time when you committed the crime, you would have all gone to prison.”
Gavin Bottomley received a six month suspended sentence, Walsh received 12 months and Chelsea Bottomley was left with only four months.
Walsh and Gavin Botttomley received a five year restraining order against Mrs Wilson, but Chelsea Bottomley was excused as she shares a child with the victim’s new partner.