A mother who launched a sudden and deliberate punch and kick attack on another woman at a Whitehaven charity fundraising event has been spared an immediate prison sentence.
Carlisle Crown Court heard there had been a previous incident involving Lisa Ackerley, 50, and Brenda Timmings which led to their respective dogs being euthanised. Then, at Christmas, 2022, Ackerley was asked to leave a gathering at Ms Timmings’ address after arriving as an unwanted visitor.
The two women’s paths crossed once again at Kells rugby club, Whitehaven, on May 6 last year. Ms Timmings, aged 62, was sat on a deckchair watching a live band when approached by Ackerley, whose tone became aggressive as they spoke.
Suddenly and without warning, Ackerley forcefully punched Ms Timmings twice in the face. The victim — left dazed with her glasses knocked off and broken — was dragged from her chair to the ground.
“She was kicked multiple times to the face, causing further injury,” Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, told the court. “She was left on the floor in considerable pain.”
Ms Timmings was treated at the scene by a first aider for injuries which included two damaged teeth. In an impact statement she described being reluctant to leave her house unaccompanied for fearing of bumping into Ackerley.
“I used to be relatively sociable. Now I feel like I have become a hermit. I feel trapped in my own home,” she stated.
Ackerley, of Copeland Avenue, Whitehaven, admitted actual bodily harm assault and damaging property. Sean Harkin, mitigating, said: “She is horrified by her actions. She is remorseful.”
Recorder Julian Shaw heard Ackerley — mother to an eight-year-old daughter — had previous convictions for drug supply and unlawful wounding dating back several years.
After reading references and a probation service report which painted a more positive picture of the defendant, Recorder Shaw suspended a 22-month jail term for two years.
Ackerley must complete mental health and alcohol treatment requirements, rehabilitation work and an eight-month electronically monitored night time curfew. She was also banned from contacting her victim in any way for five years.
Recorder Shaw told the defendant: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a vulnerable, seated person who had no opportunity to take any evasive action or protect herself.”
