by Keith Hunt

A woman who struck a mother over the head with a wine bottle – in front of her distressed autistic son – has been locked up for 18 months.

Jessica David, of Frobisher Close, Sittingbourne, left Louise Spicer with a gash to her head which needed six stitches.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Miss Spicer, from Sheerness, was leaving home with her nine-year-old son on June 8 last year.

She could hear David, 20, having a drunken argument with her boyfriend in Newcomen Road and the boy became upset.

He told the couple to be quiet because they were hurting his ears. David, told by the mother her son was autistic, replied she did not care about him.

Natasha Draycott, prosecuting, said David then hit Miss Spicer, with a full bottle of wine.

The victim came round to find David banging her head on the bonnet of a car. Miss Spicer bit David’s finger to stop her removing her necklace.

“The child witnessed the entire incident,” said Miss Draycott.

The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance, while a police officer found David with blood on her clothes and a bottle of wine in her bag.

The prosecutor said David, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, had 17 convictions, mainly for assault and shoplifting.

Miss Spicer had been forced to move and still suffered pain. She now had a seven-week-old baby.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens told David: “I have a public duty in relation to this serious attack. On the other side, you are a girl, perhaps, with hope. I am heartened by letters about efforts you have been making.

“You have detoxed from alcohol and methadone. You have had time to reflect on your life. It is up to you to change it.”