UNDER “a cloud of alcohol” a Newtown woman hit a man outside a Newtown pub, a court heard this week.
Jasmin L’Toyte Price, 19, of Garth Owen, Newtown, admitted assaulting Kevin Morris outside the Elephant and Castle Hotel, meaning that she was in breach of a 12-month suspended sentence. She was fined £135 and placed on a community order.
Kevin Challiner, prosecuting, told Welshpool Magistrates Court that Mr Morris had reported the assault after he had been sitting in the lounge bar watching football with two friends and their wives on March 28.
The court heard that a group of youths, including Price, was sitting nearby, swearing and throwing peanuts and crisps.
When Mr Morris stood up to leave the bar, he put his coat on and his arm came into contact with Price’s head, which resulted in her confronting Mr Morris in an aggressive manner.
Mr Morris left the pub and was pursued by Price. She pushed him and struck the right side of his face, causing him to stumble, said Mr Challiner.
The court heard that Mr Morris went back inside the pub and alerted members of the staff. He had suffered soreness as a result of the incident.
At the time of the incident Price was under a 12-month suspended sentence for actual bodily harm.
Owain Jones, defending, asked magistrates to consider the early guilty plea and urged them not to activate the suspended sentence.
The court heard that Price had been under the influence of alcohol at the time and the matter of Mr Morris hitting her head was blown out of all proportion as a result.
Magistrates described the incident as a “group ruckus” during which Price was under a “cloud of alcohol” and said that she was extremely lucky that she was not going to jail. Society would not benefit if she lost her job and became a cost to society.
Price was given a community order for 12 months with a supervision requirement and was fined £135, £85 costs and £50 compensation to the victim.