Notting Hill Carnival Punch-Up: Two Women In Dock

Laura Sweeney

Two women at last year’s Notting Hill Carnival were part of an aggressive group, who surrounded and repeatedly kicked another female, a court heard.

Trouble began when Laura Sweeney, 33, began filming the complainant’s drunken young friend and laughing at her, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

Both Sweeney, of Daryngton Drive, Greenford and Gemma Freeman, 32, of Lincoln House, Ealing Road, Brentford have pleaded not guilty to assaulting Anne-Sophie Flury, causing her actual bodily harm, on August 27, last year.

Sweeney also denies causing actual bodily harm to Ella Williams and Freeman has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Shanice Steele.

“Ms Flury held her hands up in a defensive gesture and the female we say is Sweeney punched her a number of times in the face and neck, causing her to fall to the floor,” said prosecutor Mr. John Coates.

“She then grabbed her by the hair and kicked her in the face.”

The attack was witnessed by one of the victim’s friend’s, who says Freeman was also involved in the group attack.

“She saw the group surround Ms Flury and the group were all kicking and says the mixed-race girl, who we say is Freeman, was the main one beating her up,” added Mr. Coates.

It was around 6pm when when one of Ms Flury’s group of friends disappeared. “Because she was intoxicated through either drink or drugs she ran off.

“She was found collapsed and being sick and a woman was nearby filming and laughing at her and words were exchanged with Ella Williams.

“We say this woman is Sweeney and others joined in the exchange of words and Ella felt this other group were acting aggressively.”

Police intervened and led Ms Flury’s group across Ladbroke Grove.

Gemma Freeman

However, an hour later there was another clash, the jury were told. “Sweeney approached Ella while shouting aggressively and punched her more than once in the face with her fist.

“This caused her to fall backwards, hitting her head on railings and she momentarily lost consciousness.

“She received a cut and bruising to her left eyebrow, had soreness to her nose and tenderness to the back of her head.”

It was while helping wipe blood away from her friend’s face Ms Flury was attacked, said Mr. Coates.

“She suffered a displaced nose, swelling to her nose, had bruising to her face and neck, an injury to her left eye and a cut lip.

“Her friend Shanice Steele was punched in the face and says that woman was also the main aggressor in the assault on Ms Flury.

“The prosecution say that was Freeman.”

Sweeney was arrested at the scene and both defendants were taken in for questioning on October 12.

The court heard pictures on their phones of them enjoying carnival match the descriptions given by the complainants.

Trial continues………..