Woman who violently attacked man "fortunate" to be spared jail

Saturday 18 March 2023

A 47-year-old woman who punched, dragged and kicked a man on the ground - only stopping when a member of the public started filming - has been spared prison.

Despite leaving him "barely" able to open his eye and with "significant" bruising, Claire Lorraine Green's victim asked for her not to be punished.

The assault took place in the evening of 29 May last year, near the Dicq slipway, the Royal Court heard yesterday.

Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, said: "He [the victim] had developed significant bruising and swelling to his right eye which he could barely open.

"Officers observed grazing to his forehead, scratches to his left cheek, bruising around his left eye and a cut across his nose — which appeared bent and had different coloured bruising than the other injuries."

A witness statement provided to the Police said that the victim "did not resist the assault nor did he fight back".

Green has previous convictions for violent offences between 1995 and 2004.

Advocate Rui Tremoceiro, defending, said that Green’s remorse was "deep" and "genuine".

"I suggest to the court that this is a clear case where the defendant brings significant positive [and] good character to the table," he said.

"Even the victim does not recall the full extent of what happened to him...part of it is because of his intoxication."

Advocate Tremoceiro, who called for a non-custodial sentence, added: "She [Green] had plans for a social work degree, as a result of the prosecution she has had to abandon those plans.

"The plans are in keeping with her desire to help others — a desire which she has so often acted upon."

An email from the victim asked for Green to be able to "carry on in society", of which Advocate Tremoceiro said: "You don’t see that very often."

He added: "The victim is begging you not to impose a custodial sentence - I’m asking that the court heeds that plea."

Bailiff Timothy Le Cocq, presiding, said to Green: "To help us with this, we look into the personal mitigation. There are many many references, some speak exceptionally well of you - it seems to be a significant matter we should give regard to. It [also] speaks to the work you do in the community."

"Our view is this was a long-burn provocation," he later added.

"[The victim] asks to not punish you - we are prepared to give that weight.

"We have decided not to impose a custodial sentence. You are extremely fortunate, but fortunate because of the many good things said about you," added the Bailiff.

Green was sentenced to 276 hours' community service and a 12-month probation order.