Notting Hill Carnival: Female Thugs Battered Group Of Young Women

Laura Sweeney

Two female friends waded in with punches and kicks when a group of young women objected to one of them laughing and filming their drunken pal during the Notting Hill Carnival.

Trouble began when Laura Sweeney, 33, whipped out her phone and started recording the victims’ drunken young friend and mocking her, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

Sweeney, of Daryngton Drive, Greenford was convicted of repeatedly punching one young woman, who fell back onto railings and was knocked unconscious.

Gemma Freeman, 32, of Lincoln House, Ealing Road, Brentford led a group attack on another member of the group, who was repeatedly kicked and punched another in the face.

Sweeney received a 12-month community order, which includes 150 hours community service work and was ordered to pay Ella Williams £500 compensation.

She was convicted by the jury of inflicting actual bodily harm on the woman on August 27, last year.

Freeman received 8 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 180 hours community service work. 

She was convicted of inflicting actual bodily harm on Anne-Sophie Flury and assaulting Shanice Steele.

Sweeney was cleared of also attacking Ms Flury. 

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,” said prosecutor Mr. John Coates.

“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.”

Gemma Freeman

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

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.”

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

“Ms Flury held her hands up in a defensive gesture and was punched a number of times in the face and neck, causing her to fall to the floor,” said Mr. Coates.

“Her friend 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.”

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.