After being put out of the home they shared, Jade Hart assaulted her former housemate, leaving her unconscious after repeatedly kicking and stamping on her head.
At Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday, the 21-year-old of Fraser Avenue, Hawick, escaped custody with an alternative sentence of a two-year Community Payback Order.
Hart, whose behaviour was described by Sheriff Donald Corke as “absolutely disgraceful” was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.
Sheriff Corke warned Hart that any non-compliance would see her jailed.
He told her: “Your behaviour has been absolutely disgraceful and anyone engaging in this kind of violence should expect a custodial sentence.
“Were it not for the submissions of your solicitor, a period of custody would have been imposed.”
Hart appeared on indictment and admitted assaulting a woman at a house at the Loan, Hawick, on September 19 last year, punching her on the face, whereby she fell to the ground, and repeatedly kicking and stamping on her head, face, and body, whereby she was rendered unconscious, all to her injury.
Depute fiscal Kate McGarvey told how the offence happened at the woman’s home address, where she had spent the afternoon with another girl, having a chat and a drink.
At about 8pm, the accused and a man arrived at the door, and the victim allowed the man inside, but left Hart sitting outside on the stairs.
“The accused had previously lived with the complainer, but was asked to leave after they fell out,” explained Ms McGarvey.
“After about 10 minutes she decided to let her in, and during the evening they began to argue,” she added.
The argument continued as Hart went towards the door to leave, and she punched her former flatmate, who fell against the sofa and on to the ground.
“She then stamped on her head and kicked her stomach and body,” said Ms McGarvey.
Throughout the attack, Hart was shouting: “Do you want more of this?”
Ms McGarvey said the victim was lying on the floor and made no attempt to fight back.
“She thinks she may have lost consciousness, as she remembers waking up behind the sofa,” added Ms McGarvey.
Hart then slapped her on the face, before leaving.
The woman, who was bleeding from her left ear, and had bruising around her ribs and arms, was taken to Borders General Hospital by ambulance.
She was found to have soft tissue injuries, but no fractures, and spent two days in hospital.
Solicitor Iain Burke, defending, said his client’s “explosion of bad behaviour” began that evening.
He explained: “She had moved from Glasgow two years ago and was staying with the complainer.
“All went well for a year, until they fell out, and she was put out.
“She was then living an itinerant and fairly homeless lifestyle, and was out of control, drinking, and consuming illegal substances.”
Mr Burke urged Sheriff Corke not to jail Hart.
“She says she has no intention of getting involved in this kind of behaviour again, and is very frightened by the prospect of a custodial sentence,” he added.
Hart had sentence deferred until January 11 on three further complaints.
On May 21, she admitted assaulting a 15-year-old girl at Baker Street, Hawick, by striking her on the body with a belt, causing her to fall to the ground, and kicking her on the head and body, to her injury.
The 15-year-old had been walking with friends around 8pm when she became aware of a group, including the accused, following close behind. “They decided to run away, but the 15-year-old became separated, and realised the accused was chasing her, holding a belt,” said Ms McGarvey.
When she caught up, Hart swung the belt towards the girl.
The fiscal added: “She struck her with it on the back of the head, causing her to fall to the ground, and she then kicked her once to the back and once to the stomach, before taking hold of her hair and pulling her to her feet.”
On the same date, Hart admitted assaulting a 14-year-old girl at Teviot Crescent, Hawick, pursuing her, and striking her on the nose. The offence happened an hour earlier, about 7pm.
“A combination of drink and drugs has left her with very little recollection of these offences,” said Mr Burke,
Hart also admitted breaking a bail curfew to remain at her home between 7pm and 7am at McLagan Drive, Hawick, on May 23.