Annie Woods, 22, has been spared jail after throwing bleach into a man's face in Liverpool city centre. The attack occurred off Bold Street earlier this year, with the victim sustaining only minor injuries.
Details of the incident
Video footage showed Woods, wearing an Adanola hoodie and face mask, shouting at a man in a brown tracksuit before she and another male approached him and threw a liquid from plastic bottles. They then told the person filming to put their phone down and walked towards Bold Street.
Woods and Christy Hegarty were charged with throwing a corrosive fluid with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Woods admitted the lesser charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Hegarty admitted assault by beating after throwing urine over the same victim.
Court proceedings
Prosecutor Sarah Gruffydd told Liverpool Crown Court that the victim, Craig Rowlands, sustained only minor injuries and damage to his clothing. Woods, who has conditions including autism spectrum disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, a sleeping disorder, eczema and partial sightedness, was handed a 12-month community order.
She must complete 50 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days and a mental health treatment requirement. Judge Ian Unsworth KC said: "I tell you from the outset that you are not going to prison today. Clearly, this was a worrying incident, but it was an incident which, thankfully, was short lived and did not cause injuries that were of the more serious kind."
The judge noted Woods is a young person of previous good character who is remorseful and has been a victim of crime herself. He said: "It is clear to me that you are someone who was not the prime mover in this case."
Restraining order and co-defendant
Woods was given a restraining order banning her from contacting Mr Rowlands for five years. Hegarty, 23, of St Helens, was handed 12 weeks in prison last week but has since been released after being remanded in custody.
