Wigton woman subjected victim to 'sustained' and 'degrading' violence

Emma Cotton, 34, repeatedly punched her helpless victim in the face and then slammed her head onto a concrete surface while yelling a tirade of foul-mouthed abuse, all which was captured on video.

Cotton turned violent after seeing her boyfriend being flirted with by the woman, Carlisle's Rickergate court heard.

The defendant, of Meadow Road, Wigton, wept as magistrates told her that the violence she admitted crossed the custody threshold. She had earlier pleaded guilty to an offence of assault by beating.

Prosecutor Andy Travis outlined the offence – and also showed magistrates the video of Cotton’s violence, which was circulated in the Wigton area.

The attack happened at 11.30pm in the Church Street area on April 18, the court heard. “The victim and Emma Cotton were unknown to each other prior to this incident,” said Mr Travis. 

The victim had been out drinking in the Lion and Lamb pub, where she was clearly drunk and had been flirting with people.

“The defendant told her to stop flirting with her boyfriend – and then told her to get outside,” said Mr Travis.

Outside the pub, Cotton pointed at the woman, who reacted by grabbing the defendant’s wrist but the defendant reacted violently, pushing her against a wall. Both women then fell to the ground, with Cotton lying on top of the victim.

“The defendant punched [the victim] to the left side of her face four times, calling her [an insulting name],” said Mr Travis. “She then took hold of her by the hair and slammed her head on to the floor twice.”

Cotton also headbutted the woman three times. Mr Travis showed the court the video footage, which was circulated on social media.

The 'audience' who watched the violence could be heard laughing and jeering.

In her statement, the victim outlined the profound impact of the attack.

She confirmed that she  suffered black eyes and burst lips and was left with concussion, which had left her feeling dizzy and unable to walk any distance for a few weeks  without pausing to hold on to something to steady herself.

Referring to the video being circulated locally via social media, she said: “I was ashamed for people to see me and worried about what they’d think. I knew people who had seen the video and who were talking about it

“The only time I left the house was to walk the dog and I made sure it was in the early morning; I was nervous of going out in case I saw her and I didn’t know how she would react. As a result, in an attempt to avoid [the defendant], I changed my routine.”

She said the anxiety caused by the attack had left her feeling unsafe. She knew that family members had seen the video of the violence and she claimed that a relative of defendant had asked somebody to get her to drop the charge.

Knowing that people she knew had seen the video made her feel “ashamed and worthless”, and she feared she was a laughing stock in Wigton.

The woman added: “Usually, I feel like a strong, independent woman but this whole thing has knocked my confidence. I have felt vulnerable and I don’t want to be in that state through alcohol again where I can be assaulted with no chance to defend myself.”

Kate Hunter, for Cotton, a woman of previous good character, suggested that the victim’s decision to grab the defendant’s coat during the assault amounted to 'provocation'.

The victim had refused to let go of the coat, despite the verbal abuse and violence.

The violence had been an attempt to get the victim to let go of the coat, said Miss Hunter  “Drink was involved and there was an error of judgement,” said the lawyer.

She continued: “Miss Cotton should not have reacted with violence; she is clearly distressed and upset by this situation occurring. She is remorseful, not only for the victim but for herself and her family.”

Miss Hunter said that the violence had been out of character for Cotton, who was supported in court with character references, including two from senior teachers. “You may consider there was a degree of provocation,” she added.

Magistrates told the defendant: “We have seen the video footage and it is clear to us that this was a sustained assault with the use of the head as a weapon, with verbal abuse and degradation, and significant injuries to the victim.

“There was limited provocation, which we have noted. We agree that it is so serious that only custody is appropriate.”

The magistrates imposed eight weeks jail but agreed to suspend this sentence for a year after concluding that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

As part of the sentence, the defendant must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days. She must also pay the victim £200 compensation, as well as £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.