A mother wielding a baseball bat attacked a woman outside a primary school.
Louise Baker dropped her child at school with the bat in tow – but claimed it was used in self-defence.
The 40-year-old launched the attack on June 16 2022 with fellow parents and children present.
Prosecuting, Tim Forster told Southampton Crown Court how ‘simmering resentment’ between the two women led to this incident.
He said: “This was at a time where there were many other parents and children around when the violent episode began.
“The victim said the defendant got out of a car, along with her two children, armed with a baseball bat.
“She was hit on her head and on her body, leaving her with a lump on her head, a fat lip, and bruising over her body.
“That was frankly a disgraceful violent episode outside a primary school in broad daylight.
“Miss Baker says that force was only used in self-defence because her daughter was attacked first.”
Mr Forster went on to say how the victim is now fearful of everyday activities, including taking her children to school.
“These are quite serious repercussions”, he added.
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Baker, of Shinewell Gardens in Southampton, pleaded guilty to one count of assault and causing actual bodily harm.
Mitigating, Tom Wright said the defendant is the one who has been sinned against, rather than committing the sinning.
He said: “The defendant had been on the receiving end of bullying, intimidation, and harassment for years, this is an unpleasant background.
“Miss Baker’s daughter was seen on the ground being assaulted by the complainant, so she felt justified in going to her assistance.”
Passing sentence, Judge Gary Burrell said: “The problem is, when you take the law in your own hands it ends up in a bad situation.
“I take into account you were also a victim in this case, but it shouldn’t have gotten to this stage.”
She was handed an 18 month community order, a primary care mental health requirement, and must complete 25 hours of rehabilitation activity.
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