Mum will be in jail for daughter's birthday (From Gazette)

Mum will be in jail for daughter's birthday

11:00am Thursday 18th June 2009

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A MOTHER who stamped on another woman’s head has been jailed a week before her daughter’s fifth birthday.

Kassandra Grainger, 24, was convicted at a previous hearing of causing actual bodily harm to Nicola Westwood by punching her in the face and stamping on her head in an altercation outside Tenpin Bowling in Cowdray Avenue, Colchester.

Grainger was jailed for a total of nine months after the court heard she was on a suspended sentence at the time of the attack.

The stamping incident, on September 13 last year, occured after Miss Westwood accused Grainger of stealing her handbag at a nightclub.

Nneka Akudolu, mitigating, told the court Grainger, of Clarendon Way, Colchester, is the sole carer for her daughter, who turns five next week.

She also told the court how the family had recently suffered a bereavement when Grainger’s brother, Gareth, died the day after her conviction.

It is believed he killed himself.

Miss Akudolu said: “During her trial she had a number of supporters in court with her and he was one of them.

“Her whole family is grieving – her mum, Susan, has just lost her son and now she is going to lose a daughter temporarily. Miss Grainger’s daughter is still very young, but she is also going to notice her mother’s absence, especially having just lost an uncle.

“She has been trying to turn her life around and on the evening in question was celebrating finishing her college exams.”

Judge Anthony Goldstraub QC said: “There has been a trial which will not be held against you in sentencing, but it does suggest that your protestations of remorse are to be taken with a pinch of salt. What makes the assault worse is your record – as a juvenile you did a similar thing in treading on a face.

“Violence out on the streets or in public places is not acceptable and if you kick or stamp on a fallen victim you must expect to go to prison.”

He added: “You have a girl of four who will miss you greatly and who needs you and your family have suffered a painful bereavement as well.”

He said the least sentence he could impose would be eight months in prison for the actual bodily harm and one month consecutively for breaching the suspended sentence.

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