Shropshire Star

Woman attacked over good manners row in Shrewsbury

A mother attacked a stranger, pulling her hair and scratching her, moments after lecturing her that "manners cost nothing", a court heard.

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Ria Hart attacked the woman in Shrewsbury because she believed she had "brushed past her" as she walked with her partner and a child in a pushchair.

Mr Mike Phillips, prosecuting at Telford Magistrates Court, said a row had broken out between the defendant and the victim who had walked around the couple in the centre of the town on February 27.

Hart, 33, began swearing at the victim, whom she accused of brushing into her, and threatened to "wipe the smile off her face", adding "do you want me to start on you?" as the woman laughed in response.

Hart then grabbed the victim's face with her hand and pushed her, although the victim managed to remain on her feet, said Mr Phillips.

The pair then started pulling at each other's hair.

As Hart's partner came over and attempted to separate the two, the victim replied "get off me" to which he responded "I'm trying to get her off you."

Mr Phillips said the victim had been left with red marks from finger nails, but no bleeding.

He said Hart did not know who the victim was, but found her profile on Facebook and sent her a message saying "see you soon sweetheart".

Hart, of Field Crescent, Shrewsbury yesterday pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was given a conditional discharge for a period of 18 months.

The court was told that Hart lived with her three children and was in receipt of benefits.

She also had convictions as a youth in 1997.

Hart was ordered to pay a total of £165 in court fees and charges.

Miss Emma Lineton, for Hart, said the defendant believed the victim had "brushed past her" as she walked around her and she had responded by saying "manners cost nothing don't you know."

The defendant "accepted she had lost her temper" but believed that the complainant "had acted in a rude way towards her," said Miss Lineton.

Hart had been left with a small bald spot as a result of the fight, which was "a one-off incident".

"She's certainly not proud of her behaviour and wants to be a positive role model to her children," added Miss Lineton.

She described Hart's decision to contact the victim after the assault as "foolish" and said that there had been no further contact between the two women.

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