Care worker hit victim over head with her sandals

Thursday 03 November 2016

A care worker for elderly dementia sufferers was given a 50-hour community service and ordered to pay £250 compensation to her victim following a drunken fracas.

Stephanie Coyle, 26, lashed out, hitting the victim over the head with her sandals, causing bruising to her forehead.

Coyle admitted a charge of common assault following the incident in the early hours of August 21^st.

The Magistrate’s Court heard Coyle had drunk six bottles of cider when she got involved in a fracas in front of the Pomme D’Or Hotel.

Police Legal Advisor Suzie Sharp said: “There was a melee involving two males and two females and this was captured on CCTV.

“The defendant was seen to run towards the melee. She was then seen to bring her arm over her head with her sandals in her hand. She then brought her arm down onto the group.

“Then the defendant swung her hand and the sandals struck the victim on her head. Police were at the scene very quickly and they noticed the victim had a swelling to the side of her forehead. Under interview, the defendant said she was extremely remorseful for her actions and wanted to apologise to the victim. She had been drinking but was not overly intoxicated.”

Defending Advocate Sue Pearmain said Coyle’s actions were “completely out of character.”

She said: “The defendant is a care worker for the elderly, in particular she specialises in looking after those with dementia. She has been described by her employer as honest, trustworthy and of a kind nature.

“What happened on the night is that she was out with friends and queueing for a taxi, having consumed six bottles of cider.

“It was while she was in the queue that the melee started and her friend was in the melee. Her first actions were not an assault, as she was trying to pull her friend out.

“The CCTV shows that she did not use her shoes as a weapon. She could be seen walking around barefoot.

“The victim pushed a man’s arm and it was then that the defendant could be seen hitting her on the head with her sandals in her hand. The victim did not fall, but there was a bruise on her forehead.

“The defendant did not deliberately use the sandals as a weapon. This was completely spontaneous and an act of the moment.”

Advocate Pearmain told the court Coyle, originally from Scotland, had worked since 2012 after arriving in Jersey a year before. She earnt £14,000 a year as a care assistant and had no previous convictions.

In sentencing, Magistrate Bridget Shaw said: “Although you were not drunk, you were clearly under the influence.

“The sensible thing to have done would have been to keep away and I am sure you regret not doing that now. This was a stranger, pushing another stranger on the arm. I don’t consider that to be provocation. Someone else came up and you lashed out at them with your sandals in your hand.

“I accept you are remorseful and you have a good character. People speak very highly of you.”  

Coyle spoke briefly from the dock, saying: “I have learnt by my mistake.”