A woman who called her neighbour a "fat slag" and injured her son with bleach has been spared jail. Emma Fessey, 45, was handed an 18-month community order at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting assault and criminal damage.
Attack on washing line
The court heard Fessey lived in an apartment directly above Colette Rimmer-King on Stonyfield in Netherton. There had been "concerns about the behaviour of the defendant before due to her unpredictability", leading to previous arguments and threats.
On the afternoon of June 27 this year, Fessey was abusive to Ms Rimmer-King, calling her a "fat slag" and threatening to "put grease over her washing" while she was hanging bedding on the line. Later that day, Ms Rimmer-King's window was smashed, although it could not be determined who was responsible.
Son injured
Ms Rimmer-King's son Liam King attended the address at around 7pm to board up the broken window. Fessey shouted abuse at him and sprayed bleach towards the washing line, causing an estimated £150 of damage to the bedding. Droplets dripped onto Mr King, causing injuries to his forearm. He did not require hospital treatment but showered and applied antiseptic cream.
Despite the assault, Fessey asked Mr King, whose 13-year-old son was present, "whether he would do a job for her because he had a ladder". Police attended and arrested her, with Fessey described as "slurring her words".
Victim impact and sentence
In a statement read to the court, Ms Rimmer-King said she had been due to go on holiday the following day but "couldn't enjoy it as she was worrying", adding: "I'm not used to this sort of behaviour. All in all, it was a traumatic experience."
Fessey has 12 previous convictions for 21 offences, including wounding as a youth and criminal damage targeting neighbours' cars. Carmel Wilde, defending, said: "In her view, she says that she simply will not engage with the neighbours. It is obviously a two-way volatile relationship."
Recorder Anna Price said: "There had clearly been some previous issues between you. You were abusive towards Ms Rimmer-King. Later that afternoon, Ms Rimmer-King's son went to her property to board up a broken window and you were abusive towards him. You then sprayed bleach towards Ms Rimmer-King's washing. Some of the bleach dripped onto him."
Fessey was given an 18-month community order with a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days. She had spent three months on remand. The judge added: "I am sure that you understand the importance of not involving yourself with Ms Rimmer-King at all."
