A woman pulled lumps of hair out of the head of her deceased father's partner during an argument about inheritance in Maesteg. Jenni Blower, 38, attacked Melanie Thomas, who had been in a relationship with her father for 26 years before his death in 2021.
Assault on doorstep in early hours
The assault took place on the victim's doorstep after the defendant turned up in the early hours of April 4, 2024, when a confrontation occurred. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard that Ms Thomas slapped Blower in the face, which led to the defendant grabbing her by the face and dragging her outside to the pavement.
Prosecutor Emily Jermin said Blower shouted abuse at the victim and pulled lumps of hair out of her head. As a result, the victim suffered injuries including scratches and bruising.
Guilty plea and victim impact
Blower, of Ferriers Row, Maesteg, later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard she has previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by Ms Jermin, Ms Thomas said: "At the time of this incident I was at home when the defendant assaulted me... I felt she violated my home... I suffered depression and felt as if I was nothing." Ms Thomas said she has become a recluse and suffers from nightmares and panic attacks.
Mitigation and sentencing
In mitigation, Josh Scouller said there was a degree of animosity between the victim and the defendant which runs both ways. He said his client accepts her actions were extreme after being slapped in the face and regrets her actions.
Sentencing, Judge Hywel James said: "This was not a matter for physical violence, these matters need to be resolved by the courts if necessary." The judge said alcohol was also a factor in this case.
Blower was sentenced to a 24-month community order. The defendant was also made subject to a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement, an alcohol treatment requirement of nine months, a £250 fine, and a restraining order of two years.
