A teenage girl has spoken of her trauma after a 39-year-old woman viciously attacked her in a bar in Hornsea, East Yorkshire. Colette Bielby appeared before Hull Crown Court for the assault, which took place at a restaurant and cocktail bar just after midnight on November 22.
The court heard that Bielby punched the 17-year-old, causing her nose to bleed, and pulled clumps of hair from her scalp. The altercation began when Bielby approached a group of males and tried to interact with the victim's boyfriend. Recorder Abdul Iqbal KC said Bielby was grinding against him and became aggressive towards the girl. She then shoulder-barged the girl towards the bar with force.
The victim tried to defend herself, but Bielby punched her several times and grabbed her hair, causing her to stumble backwards and cry. Recorder Iqbal told Bielby: "She tried to push you away. When you eventually did let go of her hair, it seems that you had pulled some clumps of it away from her scalp. It seems that wasn't enough for you."
Attack Continues Outside
Bielby was escorted outside by a man. The victim and her friends were sitting on a bench. Bielby shouted at them and approached again. Recorder Iqbal said: "Outside, you approached her again while she was minding her own business and no threat to you. You provoked her, approached her and punched her in the face, causing pain and swelling."
When a man tried to intervene, Bielby punched him. The court heard she was drunk during the offences. The victim later said she felt terrified and scared, and was overwhelmed by shock. She became anxious about going outside, stating: "It has affected my mental wellbeing. It has caused me trauma and had a lasting impact."
Defendant's History
Bielby, of Trinity Road, Hornsea, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and assaulting the girl on November 22, as well as assaulting a man. She had 26 previous convictions, including eight assault-related matters and a substantial history of making threats. She had received a conditional caution in April for criminal damage and possessing an item for threats.
Recorder Iqbal said: "You have a history of using violence when it suits your purposes. The way you behaved, as you now accept, was entirely inexcusable."
Sentence and Compensation
Amber Hobson, mitigating, said Bielby made frank admissions to police and was wracked with remorse. "She has been inconsolable, having heard the devastation her actions have wreaked. Her remorse is genuine, sincere, and heartfelt. She understands her actions have had consequences." Bielby described her actions as a "moment of madness" and said she does not often drink alcohol. She has two children and works three jobs.
Bielby received an 18-month suspended prison sentence, 100 hours' unpaid work, 20 days' rehabilitation, and was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the girl, £150 costs, and a £187 victims' surcharge. A five-year restraining order was also imposed.
