Showjump star’s pigs blood revenge on love-cheat peer
Mr Nicholls said the pair, both estranged from their respective spouses, had been in a relationship for several years.
He adding that Purbrick felt her affair with Lord Prior “had longevity”. But he said: “To put this delicately, this comes to an end when she discovers him in the arms of another woman who is married to another member of the House of Lords.
“The whole incident she describes as cathartic and she’s now moved on. This was a one-off offence caused by the breakdown of a relationship.”
She immediately handed herself in to the police following the incident, the court heard.
Lord Prior, 63, son of former Conservative Cabinet minister Jim Prior, was MP for North Norfolk from 1997 to 2001.
He was also chairman of the Care Quality Commission from 2013 until 2015.
Purbrick competed for Great Britain in the 1980 Olympic Games. The court heard the showjumper played loud music as she carried out the act, selecting pig’s blood because the victim “liked pigs”.
A neighbour raised the alarm when blood was seen seeping underneath the door. Mr Nicholls said: “At 63, she accepts [that she acted] in a way that is completely out of character.”
District judge Susan Green sentenced Purbrick to 120 hours’ community service and imposed a restraining order.
She said: “There was a series of highly abusive slogans on the floor, both directed to Lord Prior and his new partner. They were, in my view, quite appalling.”
Earlier, Mr Nicholls apologised on behalf of Purbrick after she arrived at court in casual clothes, saying she blamed bad transport.