Mum glassed
PAIR BROKE INTO HOME AND TRIED TO ROB VICTIM
Court Reporter THIS horrific wound was caused by a crack cocaine-crazed mum with a smashed glass during a terrifying home invasion robbery.
Cheryl Carter and Maxine Pollin had been bingeing on drugs for days when they forced their way into the victim’s home and subjected her to harrowing violence while they tried to rob her of prescribed medication.
A court heard the victim was dragged around by her hair, grabbed by the throat, kneed in the face and pinned down as the addicts demanded her strong painkillers.
In an “abhorrent” act, Carter then picked up a pint glass, smashed it on a wall and thrust a jagged shard into the victim’s cheek.
The victim’s gaping wound required 57 stitches and she will be scarred for life.
Carter has been jailed for nine years after admitting wounding with intent and robbery while Pollin, cleared of wounding with intent but convicted of robbery, was locked up for five years and four months.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was on the evening of September 21 last year the attack happened in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.
Recorder Jo Kidd said Carter had “manufactured” an argument with the victim by falsely claiming she had stolen something from her home.
The judge said Carter and Pollin then went round to the victim’s home to rob her.
She said: “What is clear is from the moment you forced your way into her house your focus was on the theft of Oramorph, for which she had a prescription.
“You knew she had a prescription for that class A opiate.
“From the moment you attended that address you were being aggressive.
“She was pushed through the hallway and she fell backwards over a washing basket and was dragged around by her hair then made to lie on the sofa, where she was helpless.
“She fought back, she clasped her bag to her, you tried to pull it away from her and such was the force used, the handles snapped.”
The victim tried to put the bag – which contained the Oramorph – behind her back to try to stop them getting it.
Recorder Kidd said: “Despite