Love rival assault did not happen says Royal Court

Wednesday 31 August 2016

A Jury took just 25 minutes today to return a not guilty verdict on a woman accused of a vicious assault on an alleged love rival.

The Royal Court today found Emma Jayne Lippiard to be not guilty following a two-day trial - when the verdict was read out, she shouted to the jurors: “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The jury of eight women and four men took very little time to make their decision and it was a unanimous verdict according to the foreman of the jury. 

Moments later, 33-year-old Ms Lippiard smiled, saying: “I am so very pleased with the result.”

Earlier, jurors had been told Ms Lippiard was accused of attacking her ex-boyfriend’s new partner, by choking, scratching and slapping her before pulling clumps of her hair out. 

The incident was alleged to have happened on a street in Grouville in December last year when the teenager alleged Ms Lippiard assaulted her. 

The police were called and Ms Lippiard was arrested a short time later, as she was driving her car past the housing estate near Grouville Arsenal. 

Defending Advocate Lauren Glynn said the whole story had been concocted by the teenager, who was annoyed that Ms Lippiard had maintained a close relationship with her former boyfriend. 

Advocate Glynn said Ms Lippiard had been seen driving past the area and as such the teenager believed she would be immediately linked to the crime by the police.

In his summing up to the jury, Bailiff William Bailhache said the case revolved around a crucial set of timings. 

Ms Lippiard would only have been able to commit the assault in a five-minute period between 12:50 and 12:55 because she was seen on CCTV at Le Rocquier School at 13:02. 

The Bailiff said: “The defence say that is unrealistic. There was certainly not more time for the defendant to commit the assault. The defence say her demeanour at Le Rocquier School does not show her to be particularly distressed.”