Love rival slashed in the face with a scent-bottle stiletto
Vicious attack in village ‘idyll’ Charles created
ITS makers describe it as a symbol of ‘passion, sophistication and beauty’.
But a court heard a woman used an ‘iconic’ stiletto-shaped perfume bottle to hit a love rival in the head during a confrontation at King Charles’s model village of Poundbury.
Jessica Baker, 20, was in a relationship with the ex-boyfriend of her victim Amelia Duckworth when the two women became embroiled in a social media spat about him.
A judge was told the rivalry ‘heated up’ to the point where Baker met Miss Duckworth for a park showdown in the Dorset community representing the King’s vision of a utopian idyll, where houses are arranged within walking distance of shops, workplaces and other services.
Bournemouth Crown Court heard mother-of-one Baker brought the Carolina Herrera fragrance – called Very Good Girl – to the confrontation, hidden behind her back. The perfume is one of six scents marketed by the luxury firm in different coloured stiletto-shaped bottles.
She warned: ‘I’m going to do you in,’ before producing the red-lacquered bottle and striking Miss Duckworth twice across the head and slashing her face.
The attack was photographed by Miss Duckworth’s cousin, Georgia Hooper, who was with the victim and her new boyfriend on the Great Field when they were confronted by Baker. After the attack in August last year, Miss Duckworth was taken to hospital where she received stitches for a gash between her eyes, while a wound to her scalp needed to be treated with medical glue. She also suffered a concussion.
Prosecutor Rob Griffiths said Miss Duckworth had been in a relationship that ended in November 2020, after which her ex-lover and Baker got together.
Mr Griffiths added: ‘It seems that the ex had been telling the defendant about problems during his relationship with Miss Duckworth, and the defendant contacted Miss Duckworth to take issue about it. Miss Duckworth’s response was to post pictures of herself on Instagram, taken while she was in the original relationship and including a video of her being pushed by her ex.’
The court heard matters reached a head on August 24 when Baker, from Bournemouth, met her victim in Poundbury and was seen ‘walking with a purpose’ towards her.
Mr Griffiths said a witness recalled that ‘she had a phone in her hand and, in his words, was staring at the phone, “gobbing off, effing and blinding”.’ He added: ‘Miss Hooper said to the defendant, “If you have something to say, just say it then” and she responded, “I’m going to do you in”.’
The prosecutor said Baker then ‘went for Miss Hooper’ with the perfume bottle before hitting Miss Duckworth. Images of the attack were shown to the court.
Baker pleaded guilty to one count of actual bodily harm and another of possession of an offensive weapon.
In a victim impact statement, Miss Duckworth said she had been left ‘traumatised’ and felt afraid to go out.
Rebecca Fairbairn, defending, said Baker pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and felt ‘genuinely remorseful’.
Judge Stephen Climie sentenced her to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years on condition of a twomonth curfew between 9pm and 7am.
She was ordered to pay a £156 victim surcharge and subjected to a two-year restraining order. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the perfume bottle used in the attack.
Judge Climie told Baker on Friday: ‘You decided to take the law into your own hands and attack someone.
‘Social media is a wonderful asset in society. There are some that say we do not adequately prepare your generation for its use. Learn to walk away – you don’t have to read everything.’
‘I’m going to do you in’