"You were drunk, aggressive, unpleasant and persistent"

Sunday 17 February 2019

A persistent assault on an unwitting person has left a woman with 100 hours of community service to complete and a hefty compensation order to pay.

Natalie Waters, 26, was sentenced by Guernsey's Magistrate's Court on Thursday, for one count of assault - an incident which took place on 6 January this year, and was caught entirely on CCTV.

Rather than go into details, Crown Advocate Dunford played Judge Graeme McKerrell that CCTV footage, which clearly showed Waters suddenly approach the victim - who was talking to other people in Town - briefly confront her, before starting to assault her. The assault was persistent, lasting some time, and included several attempted blows to the head. 

Waters was out on a work Christmas party, having eaten at China Red. She had recently relapsed into alcoholism and the court heard on this night she was 'blacking out'.

Although she worked with the victim, she did not know her as they were in separate departments. But they had both been involved in an earlier incident in the bathrooms of China Red, where the defendant had broken up another fight with her later victim and another person. The later confrontation started because of that, the court heard.

During interview with Guernsey Police, Waters initially claimed the assault was an act of self defence, but later in that same interview, after seeking legal advice, she changed her story and said she was disgusted by her own actions. 

The victim has since claimed compensation for the injuries she suffered in the attack and the subsequent treatment she needed. Also since then, Waters has got back in touch with her Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, and has been going to a number of meetings a week. 

Sentencing, Judge McKerrell said: "It is perfectly clear that you were drunk, aggressive, unpleasant and persistent. You were an embarrassment to yourself, to those that know you, and to those who tried to help you on that night.

"You have a clear problem with drink, and it lead you to a unprovoked and persistent attack." 

Overall, Waters was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and to pay compensation of £750 to the victim.