Thursday 6 January 2011

Woman's Pepper Spray Attack On Sleeping Boyfriend


An angry woman sprayed her boyfriend of three years in the face with painful pepper spray when he accused her of an affair after the couple's afternoon drink and drug session, a court heard today.

Office administrator Hayley-Marie Redmond, 31, also armed herself with two knives from the kitchen of their home in Spencer Place, Croydon, which she dropped when her boyfriend screamed out in agony.

First-time offender Redmond pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious substance and assault at the address on November 25, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Ramsubhag told the court the couple had been drinking and smoking cannabis before returning home at 4pm and rowing over the defendant's alleged infidelity.

"Miss Redmond accepts she got out of bed two hours later and went into his room with the pepper spray he bought her and sprayed him in the face as he slept.

"He woke screaming and she dropped the knives she was holding and called the police."

When quizzed by officers Redmond complained her boyfriend was "controlling".

"She said she could not take it any longer," added the prosecutor. "She even thought of killing him at the time, but wouldn't have gone through with it."

Redmond's lawyer Mr. Matthew Chidlay told the court: "She is in her own words disgusted by her actions and this signalled the end of a very unhappy and troubled relationship."

She had split with her boyfriend several times and twice called the police to the address previously.

Judge Ruth Downing told Redmond: "This had the potential to be an extremely serious assault on your partner. Your remorse and response was immediate."

Redmond was sentenced to a twelve month community order.


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