Mum who pulled clumps of teaching assistant’s hair out walks free from court

A mum has been spared jail after she and a friend attacked a teaching assistant who accused her children of being school bullies.

Lorna Silcock, a 33-year-old mum of five, dragged teaching assistant Kayleigh Rutherford to the ground in a public park before pulling clumps of her hair out, headbutting her, and repeatedly punching and kicking her.

The attack, which happened last April 10, led to Miss Rutherford suffering concussion, bruising to her face, and a broken finger which needed to be reset and required hand therapy.

Silcock’s friend Atlanta Hewitt, 30, also joined in with the attack, shouting in their victim’s face and kicking her in the shoulder and side.

The violent attack happened in front of Miss Rutherford’s own 12-year-old daughter and infant.

In the run up to the assault Miss Rutherford, who works at a primary school in Macclesfield, Cheshire, had berated Silcock’s children after they teased her daughter.

Joanne Moore, prosecuting, told Cheshire magistrates court: ‘The whole incident appeared to have started on a previous date when Silcock’s children had been abusive to Miss Rutherford’s daughter. They sent her messages and the messages became heated.

‘Miss Rutherford, who was with her baby, saw her eldest daughter playing unaccompanied in the park and went to check on her in light of her being abused a few days previously.

‘When she arrived at the park, she recognised some teenagers who had been abusive to the child, calling her a slag. As she approached her daughter, the teenagers said something and she said “I will speak to your mum” – but they became abusive.

‘They said “Our mum is going to batter you” and at this point, Hewitt comes out of Silcock’s address, holding a baby, followed by Silcock. Hewitt went up to Miss Rutherford and in her face said “What’s your problem?”

‘Hewitt then swung around and handed the baby to someone standing behind her before going back to Miss Rutherford and then both women started attacking her.

‘She was repeatedly punched by one female while the other female punched and pulled her hair.

‘At some point she fell to the floor. When she tried to get up, she was kicked in the shoulder area by Hewitt. Silcock pinned her to the floor and put her leg over her neck.

‘”Have you had enough yet?” she said. She then headbutted her. As she tried to stand up she felt Hewitt kick her in the side and punch her in the head. Silcock was still on top of her.

‘Her hand was on top of her neck. She bit down to try and get her off. At that point she remembers Silcock being pulled off her.

‘Miss Rutherford was taken to her mum’s address for assistance and later attended A&E.

‘When she made an initial statement about the assault, she said it had affected her life. She said she had not been eating or sleeping properly. She was scared to enter the park.

‘While her 12-year-old daughter was putting on a brave face, she said she knew it had affected her.

‘One witness described Miss Rutherford being effectively set upon. She described Silcock running out of the house and both her and Hewitt attacking her and taking her to the floor, punching, kicking and headbutting her.

‘She saw Miss Rutherford being punched several times in the face.

‘There were numerous children in the vicinity when Miss Rutherford was being assaulted. She had her baby in a pram and her 12-year-old child was also present.

‘The effects of this are still ongoing, especially since, unfortunately, other people have taken it upon themselves to shout names at her in the street because she has come to court.’

In mitigation for Silcock, Nicholas Kerruish-Jones said: ‘This incident should not have happened – but feelings were running high on part of Silcock.

‘There was an issue that concerned her children and it’s fair to say her emotions got the better of her.

‘She says she regrets it. She had no wish to get involved in a fight with Miss Rutherford but the situation spun out of control.’

Silcock admitted  assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Hewitt was sentenced to 26 weeks, suspended for 12 months, along with 25 rehabilitation days.

Both were ordered to pay £100 in costs and were made subject to a five-year restraining order banning them from contacting Miss Rutherford.

Sentencing, Miss Recorder Karen Ridge said: ‘Miss Rutherford was dragged to the floor, her hair was pulled, she was punched to the face, causing significant bruising, and was headbutted. All of these took place in the presence of her baby and daughter.

‘It must have been a truly frightening experience for those who witnessed this incident. The violence that was used was unlawful and cannot in any way be excused.

‘Miss Rutherford has been affected and continues to be affected to this day.’

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