By Jordan Shepherd,Lanarkshire Live
Copyright glasgowlive
An East Kilbride woman who attacked her best friend and subjected her to a “campaign of abuse” has narrowly avoided prison.
Mary Smith, 30, was warned she could still face a 12 to 18-month sentence if she fails to comply with a community payback order. She admitted assaulting the woman, who has since died, after forcing entry to her flat in Three Rivers Walk, East Kilbride, on May 4, 2022.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Smith grabbed her friend by the hair and struck her repeatedly on the head and body, causing her to fall. Smith, of East Kilbride, also admitted a course of conduct that caused the woman fear or alarm between March 27 and May 9, 2022.
This included acting aggressively, making offensive comments, sending threatening or abusive text messages and damaging her phone by throwing it against a wall. She also smashed a mirror in her friend’s flat, Lanarkshire Live reports.
Sheriff Colin Dunipace read a victim impact statement given by the woman before her death. Defence lawyer Andy Thomson described it as a “sad” case, saying both women had issues with alcohol and their mental health.
Mr Thomson stated: “My client knows her behaviour was unacceptable. She regrets that her friend is gone and struggles with that. She knows her friend’s family are suffering.
“However, there is a very good social work report. She has made real progress and there has been no offending in the three years and more since these incidents.”
Sheriff Dunipace told Smith: “With some hesitation I’m just satisfied that I can step back from custody. This is an extremely serious matter. You forced entry to this young lady’s property and assaulted her, causing injury.
“You followed that with a campaign of abuse against her.”
Smith was placed under supervision for two years and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work. She was also given a nine-month electronic tagging order, meaning she’s confined to her home between 7pm and 7am each day.
The sheriff warned her: “There will be a custodial sentence of 12 to 18 months if you fail to comply.”
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