A YOUNG mum has received a community order after she attacked another woman in a pub over the Herefordshire border in Powys less than a year after she was released from prison.
Hannah Louise Harris, 28, was told to abide by a community order this week for assaulting victim Shania Smout in a pub in Rhayader days after Christmas.
Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday, April 12, that Harris, from St Harmon, was only released from prison in February, last year.
A tearful Harris pleaded guilty to assault at the hearing, which was told the attack occurred in the Castle Hotel pub in Rhayader town centre on December 27, 2022.
Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said the incident occurred after Harris saw the victim in the pub – and that she assaulted her because she blamed Ms Smout for her boyfriend going to prison.
“The victim was having a drink in the Castle Hotel when the defendant came in; she said she (Harris) looked ready to hurt her,” said Ms Vaughan.
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“She grabbed her by the shoulders and began pushing and pulling her around. Other parties intervened, then the defendant went for her again.
“The catalyst is she thought the victim was the reason her boyfriend went to prison.”
Reading from a victim impact statement provided by Ms Smout, Ms Vaughan said: “Since the attack I feel really uncomfortable walking around town, especially at night. I think something is going to happen.”
Ms Vaughan said Harris’ previous jail term resulted from a wounding charge in 2018, for which she received a 30-month custodial sentence.
Representing Harris, of Cwmdifwg, St Harmon, near Rhayader, Paul Lewis admitted magistrates might rightly be concerned about his client’s “propensity for violence”.
“It was a chance meeting in a pub,” said Mr Lewis.
“She thought remarks were said about her partner. She lost her temper and approached the victim at the bar and dragged her around.
“The previous conviction is serious. I would have been inviting you to deal with this matter by way of a fine, but you might be concerned by her propensity for violence.
“She would cooperate with probation. You may feel she needs counselling, having committed a second offence of violence at such a young age.”
Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and heard from probation officer Donna Davies, who said Harris, a mother of one, admitted she had acted inappropriately.
Ms Davies said: “Her lack of anger management, her impulsiveness and her emotions contributed to this incident.
“She lives with her parents. She previously worked as a carer but is on Universal Credit currently. She is emotional at the thought of prison and the impact today’s hearing will have on her and her child.
“She previously misused cannabis and other drugs but has now ceased all drug use. Alcohol inhibited her that night and she shows deficits in managing her emotions.
“She engaged well on her previous licence and says she feels remorseful for her behaviour.”
Magistrates told Harris to comply with a 12-month community order, which will include 10 rehabilitation activity days and the need to carry out 40 hours’ unpaid work.
She must pay Ms Smout £30 compensation and also has to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
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