P.E.I. woman who punched another woman receives no jail time

Jessica Marie Peters appears for sentencing

A 19-year-old P.E.I. woman has received a suspended sentence after she punched a woman twice in the jaw in Stratford.

Jessica Marie Peters appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing earlier this month after pleading guilty to assault and failing to attend court back in March.

The court heard on Nov. 29, Peters barged into a residence in Stratford, even after someone tried to prevent her from entering, and proceeded to run over to a woman and punch her twice in the jaw.

The woman was able to get free and fled to her vehicle where she called 911.

Leading up to the assault, the two women had been arguing over text messages.

Peters was arrested Dec. 2 and was released with a promise to appear in court. Peters then failed to appear in court March 19. She turned herself in to the RCMP the following day.

She had no prior criminal record.

The pre-sentence report outlined a chaotic childhood but describes Peters as a “lovely girl” and “smart”.

Orr suspended the passing of sentence and gave Peters two years of probation and 50 hours of community service.

She is to refrain having contact with the woman and write a letter of apology.

Peters must also pay a $100 fine for failing to attend court and $30 to the victims of crime fund.