Prison possible for 24-year-old who whipped victim with lead

A woman who attacked another in a Street shopping centre,whipping her repeatedly to the head and body with a dog lead, hasbeen warned she could face a prison sentence.

Karis Anne Brooks also attempted to headbutt the defencelessvictim and then punched her several times to the head and bodyduring the incident which was captured in its entirety on CCTV.

When the victim was later identified from video footage she saidshe only received minor injuries and the matter was proceeded withby police in spite of her declining to make an official complaint.

Brooks, aged 24, of Park Close, Street, was brought before SouthSomerset Magistrates in custody this week after failing to turn upfor her last court hearing.

She pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insultingwords or behaviour causing someone to fear for their safety atStreet on November 10 last year along with a bail act offence.

Chris Ansell, prosecuting, said that the attack occurred outsidethe Tesco store in the Crispin Centre in Street and was caught byCCTV operators.

"They saw a female wearing a white coat who was Brooks and sheattempted to headbutt another female in the face and then punchedher several times in the face and body," he said.

"The victim then tried to fight back but Brooks grabbed her hairand pulled her to the ground and then whipped her a number of timeson the head and body with a dog lead. She walked away but thenreturned and whipped her with the lead again.

"The victim was identified and found to have minor injuries butdeclined to comment on the incident or make a complaint."

Defending solicitor Chris Ivory said that Brooks had lived in theGlastonbury and Street area for the past 14 years and had closecommunity links with the area.

After hearing of the severity of the assault the magistratesadjourned the case to March 17 for a pre sentence report to beprepared telling the defendant that she could be facing the prospectof a custodial sentence.

Until then she was released on bail with conditions that she mustnot attend the Crispin Centre in Street; must not be found drunk ina public place; must live and sleep at her home address and must co-operate with the Probation Service and attend all appointments.