A 56-year-old woman who “clawed” a churchwarden across the face at a Norfolk village church could be
given an Asbo after yesterday being convicted of assault.
Hilary Carling - who three years ago was found guilty of harassing neighbours in Weasenham, near Fakenham - left Peter Brown with blood coming out of cuts to his face.
Magistrates at Swaffham heard there had been a long history of problems involving Carling in the village, and police - with the help of local people - had put together a report asking for an Asbo (anti-social behaviour order) to be imposed on her.
It will be considered next Tuesday when Carling, of The Green, Weasenham, is sentenced for the assault on Mr Brown, which happened last September.
The court was told by prosecuting lawyer Nicholas Crampton that Carling carried out a “deliberate, vindictive and aggressive” assault on the churchwarden, who was trying to stop her getting into St Peter's Church at Weasenham during a rehearsal for a local drama club production.
Mr Brown said Carling put both hands up and put them across his face and scratched him and left him bleeding.
He was on the path outside the church and put his arms out in a “crucifixion position” to stop her getting past into the building when she ran at him.
Mr Brown said the church was locked during the rehearsal but Carling had been banging on the door trying to get in.
Robert Burton, who was on his way to the rehearsal and saw the assault, said Carling had been shouting abuse and then “clawed” Mr Brown's face.
Pictures of his injuries were taken a few minutes after the assault, showing the blood on his face.
Carling said she had a “legal right” to go into the church and had just tried to get past Mr Brown and accused him and Mr Burton of lying.
She claimed she had regularly been prevented from going into the church or thrown out.
At the end of a day-long trial yesterday, deputy district judge Parkash Aujila convicted her of assault, a charge she had denied.
He adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and for the Asbo request to be considered and said all options should be considered, including custody.
The court heard Carling was convicted in February 2006 for harassing her neighbours and was given a conditional discharge and made subject of a restraining order.
At the time, Swaffham magistrates heard how she subjected Anthony Clemow and his wife Jill to a tirade of abuse.
