Couple jailed for shocking attack on mum-to-be

Thug hit man on head with mallet while his partner struck pregnant woman

A couple who launched a vicious Halloween assault which left a pregnant woman in hospital have been jailed.

Nicole Campbell, 27, of Dallfield Court in Dundee, previously admitted striking neighbour Donna Fearn with a screwdriver on October 31. She was in the early stages of pregnancy.

James Campbell, 27, a prisoner at HMP Perth, also admitted using a mallet to knock out Jamie Stevens, who had tried to protect Ms Fearn, during the same incident in Tulloch Court.

Dundee Sheriff Court previously heard the two couples had been involved in a disagreement leading up to the fight.

Mr Stevens had been returning home when Jamie Campbell branded him a “junkie”, resulting in an exchange between the pair.

Later that night, both Campbells visited the couple at their neighbouring property where they knocked at the front door.

After answering, Donna Fearn grabbed Nicole Campbell by the hair before both fell to the ground. Nicole Campbell then repeatedly punched her to the stomach and bit her on the shoulder and back.

She then shouted “die” while striking her in the stomach with the screwdriver.

Mr Stevens arrived with a wooden mallet, which James Campbell took from him before hitting him on the head and body, knocking him unconscious.

All four were taken to Ninewells for treatment and kept in overnight.

Nicole Campbell’s solicitor, Jane Caird, said her client had recently lost custody of her children due to the conviction.

She said: “She is devastated and sick with herself for the offences. These incidents have ruined her life. She’s sad and emotional about it all of the time.”

Defending James Campbell, solicitor Doug McConnell said although his client has a history of offending, this was his first conviction since 2014.

“He has managed to stay away from offending for some time,” he said.

“His use of illicit Valium on this occasion has contributed to this offence.

“He is, I would say, contrite and has been since the start.”

Sheriff Lorna Drummond sentenced James Campbell, who was previously remanded in custody, to 36 months in prison and jailed Nicole Campbell for 22-and-a-half months.

Both were also given a supervised release order for 12 months and 10 months respectively.