Nurse who started fight beaten up – and fined

ATTACKED WOMAN SHE THOUGHT HAD ASSAULTED HER DAUGHTER

A DEMENTIA nurse started a fight with a group of teenagers and got beaten up.

Joanne Cook was celebrating her 56th birthday when she spotted a woman she believed had earlier beaten up her daughter.

Cook approached the woman in Mansfield Street, Leicester, and punched her.

The victim, who has not been identified, was with a group of other women, who rushed to their friend’s help.

Cook was pushed to the ground and repeatedly struck by teenagers in the incident at 2.30am on October 28.

The violence was broken up by police officers within minutes.

At Leicester Magistrates’ Court, Cook pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour intended to cause fear of violence.

The magistrates were shown CCTV footage of the attack, in which Cook could be seen getting punched, kicked and stamped on in the street after she had thrown the first punch.

Heather Glover, representing Cook, of Woodhouse Road, Narborough, told the magistrates: “She sees the lady who’s assaulted her daughter and approached to ask her why.

“There was no intention to assault her initially, or for it to escalate.

“She comes off worse. She apologised for her behaviour and is more than embarrassed by what occurred.

“What should have been a few drinks out for her birthday has changed her life.”

Ms Glover told the magistrates that Cook’s bosses at the care home where she works were unaware of the court case and she planned to tell them afterwards.

She added that Cook had been preparing to foster her daughter’s children but would no longer be allowed to do so, and they would remain in care.

Cook was fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £160 victim surcharge.

Three of the teenagers who attacked Cook were also charged.

Two women, both aged 19, and an 18-year-old man were charged with threatening behaviour intended to cause fear of violence.