Woman suffered broken ribs in attack by relatives at party

A New Year family party ended with a woman being attacked by relatives in her own home.

The victim sustained broken ribs after being kicked and punched, grabbed by the hair and pulled to the floor.

The woman was attacked by Veronica Hutton, whose daughter Brogan Watson joined in the assault.

Hutton, 42, of Houliston Avenue, Inverkeithing, and Watson, 22, of Rintoul Avenue, Blairhall, were found guilty of two charges after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

On January 2 last year, at Hillview, Crossgates, they assaulted the woman by seizing her by the hair, forcing her to the ground, repeatedly punching and kicking her on the head and body and stamping on her head and body, all to her severe injury.

They behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, kicking a door, and banging on a window which was smashed.

Sheriff Pino di Emidio said they were fortunate the case was not dealt with under solemn procedure, where sentences would have been greater.

He noted there appeared to be “prior animosity” between the parties and there was “significant consumption of alcohol” before the incident.

Both attackers have previous convictions for violence, he pointed out.

He placed Hutton on a community payback order with 250 hours of unpaid work and one year’s supervision.

She was also put on a restriction of liberty order for eight months and told to pay £400 compensation.

Brogan was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and pay £400 compensation.