Violence erupts at family party as peacemaker is headbutted

ATTACKER IS ORDERED TO PAY £100 COMPENSATION TO VICTIM

A FAMILY party turned sour when a woman headbutted someone she thought had been “over-familiar” with her partner.

Lori Leeann Knox, 31, argued with the other woman before butting her on the nose, a court heard.

She ran away from the family gathering at a house in Bateman Road, New Parks, Leicester, and managed to avoid police until she was arrested the next day.

Her victim was treated in hospital for her injuries.

Knox, of Kemp Road, New Parks, appeared before city magistrates to admit assault by beating.

Prosecutor Dale Brownless told the hearing the women were at a family get-together on the evening of June 27 this year.

“There was an argument and the victim stepped between a couple of the people and tried to calm things down,” Mr Brownless said.

“She thought she had done so, but as things were starting to simmer down, it’s suggested the defendant turned toward her and shouted at her before headbutting her on the nose.”

When arrested and quizzed by police, Knox chose to answer “no comment” to the questions.

Helen Morris, representing Knox, told the court: “It was a family gathering and all parties had been consuming alcohol.

“The situation arose where Knox felt the victim was being overfamiliar with her partner. She says she spoke to her about this and asked her not to – to which, she says, the victim reacted badly and there was an argument.

“Knox states they were in each other’s faces and she told the victim to back off, but the argument continued and, as we have heard,

Miss Knox struck her to the face.

“It was not a very pleasant incident and it appears to have been fuelled by alcohol. However, she does not accept the victim was trying to calm the situation.

“Nevertheless, whatever the build-up, she has accepted her actions and has pleaded guilty. She has been working to improve her situation as there has been a long-standing issue with alcohol.”

Ms Morris said Knox was receiving help from a drug and alcohol addiction treatment charity .

“She is also living in a hostel and has a regular support worker who is assisting her in getting back on her feet,” she added.

Magistrates fined Knox £200 and ordered her to pay £100 compensation to her victim. She was also told to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £34.