A woman has been ordered to pay compensation after a flower arranging class ended in a foul-mouthed tirade and violence. Lorraine Jae, from Leigh, punched fellow student Tracey Musker and threw a drink at her.
The 51-year-old, a court was told, had a meltdown in a college classroom and grabbed her coat due to criticism of her coursework by their tutor. As other students attending the floristry lesson at St Helens College, in Merseyside, looked on, Jae told Miss Musker to 'shut the f*** up' after being advised to stop being 'childish.'
Attack in the classroom
Then when Miss Musker laughed off the abuse, Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard how Jae ran at her, punched her in the face before picking up a full protein drink carton and throwing it at her. The fortified beverage hit Miss Musker on the chin.
The fight was broken up by other students before Jae stormed out of the classroom. Miss Musker, who received first aid at the scene, suffered bruises and a cut to her chin and a mark on her lip. She did not require hospital treatment.
Court outcome
At Liverpool Magistrates' Court, Jae, of Briscoe Close, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was ordered to pay Miss Musker £200 in compensation. She was also fined £300 plus £205 in costs and a victim surcharge. Her husband was in court to support her.
The incident occurred on December 11 last year when the pair were in a classroom getting feedback about their floristry diploma coursework thought to involve creating Christmas wreaths made from holly, ivy and pine cones.
Prosecution and mitigation
Tony Carey, prosecuting, said: “At about 10am the defendant became involved in an argument with the course tutor. Miss Musker attempted to calm the situation but the defendant told her to ‘Shut the f*** up’.”
“Miss Musker told the defendant not to speak to her in that manner and not to speak to her again and the defendant then began picking up her belongings.”
“But as the defendant went to collect her coat from behind the victim she directed further verbal abuse at Miss Musker. Miss Musker laughed it off but whilst the victim was still sitting at her desk the defendant ran over to her and punched her in the face.”
“When Miss Musker stood up the defendant picked up a full protein drink from the victim’s desk and threw it at her.” “Another student intervened and then the defendant ran out of the classroom. Consequently the defendant was suspended from her college course.”
“Miss Musker sustained a bruised and cut chin and a mark on her lip. She was given first aid at the scene but did not seek hospital treatment.”
The court heard Jae who is currently waiting for a hip operation had no previous convictions.
Her lawyer, Helen Clarke, said in mitigation: “The drink was in a carton - not a glass bottle or anything of that kind.
“The argument involving the course tutor related to a dispute about her course work which the defendant thought she had done to a satisfactory standard. Miss Musker then got involved.
“Clearly it was a short lived matter and a heat of the moment reaction when the defendant felt extremely frustrated. She had been studying the course for some time, it had not been the best experience and she had some problems along the way.
“Nevertheless she persevered hoping to achieve a qualification as she was unable to continue other work she had been doing for many years. She thought this would be a new start but clearly it did not happen in that way.
“Clearly this happened out of character and she has learnt her lesson. I can say from speaking to her she is sorry for what happened. She is apologetic to Miss Musker.”
In sentencing Jae, District Judge James Clarke told her: “It would appear that this was a bad situation that went in the wrong direction. It is not a reflection of your personality.”
