Gwen Dempster threw liquid ammonia over her next-door neighbour Lee McCluskey after a dispute over a “scabby fiver” during a shopping trip in Glasgow city centre. The pair fell out on Buchanan Street in November last year, Glasgow Sheriff Court was told.
Heated argument over money
Prosecutor Lauren Aitchison said the women got involved in a “heated argument” over money. She told the court: “This argument was over money and Miss McCluskey felt insulted by the comments Dempster was making and asked her to go away. Dempster told her, ‘I don’t want a scabby fiver, I want £20 off you now.’”
Lee swung her shopping bag at Dempster to get away, and a struggle followed. As they grappled, Dempster, 52, pulled a bottle of ammonia from her bag and threw its contents towards Lee, hitting her on the head and body. Lee screamed as she felt burning on her skin.
Victim found removing clothes
Household ammonia is widely used in cleaning and degreasing. It is highly alkaline and valued for breaking down grease and oils, but can cause severe irritation and chemical burns if it touches the eyes, lungs or skin, and can kill if ingested.
Police found Lee taking her clothes off in a shop. The court was told: “Miss McCluskey removed her clothing in the doorway of Sainsbury’s and police thereafter traced her. She was lying on the floor removing her clothing.” She said, “My skin is burning,” and had red markings on her face. She was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where she discharged herself.
Guilty plea and sentencing deferred
Dempster, of Govan, was found in Buchanan Street in possession of the empty bottle of ammonia. She pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and to assault. Sheriff Michael Hanlon deferred sentence and continued Dempster’s remand in custody.
