Woman jailed for “catalogue of offences of violence”

Monday 16 October 2023

A 28-year-old woman who smashed a full wine bottle over another woman’s head, banged her head against a fridge freezer and threatened to stab her with a fork has been jailed for 18 months.

The Royal Court heard that Chloe Jordan Allen, who was said to have committed “a catalogue of offences of violence” had also assaulted a vulnerable older woman.

The offences, which also included criminal damage and theft, all took place during May and June this year.

Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, said the first offence took place in the older woman’s flat, where Allen hit her in the mouth with her forearm, leaving her with bruises and swelling.

The following morning, Allen scratched and dented the car of the older woman’s carer, which was parked outside the flat.

On 22 May, while drinking in another property, Allen smashed a full wine bottle over the head of a younger woman, leaving her bleeding profusely from a head wound and in need of emergency hospital treatment.

“She was vomiting, confused and complaining of severe headaches,” the Crown Advocate said.

Allen punched the same younger woman in the face six times while drinking on 31 May. And the following day, in the kitchen of the same flat, she banged the woman’s head against a fridge freezer.

Two days later, at the older woman’s flat, Allen threw a knife and fork at the younger woman and approached her with another fork, saying: “I’m going to stab you.”

The two women disarmed her but the younger one was punched in the face and jaw.

On 6 June, Allen stole food and alcohol from the Alliance supermarket in Sand Street.

When she appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, Allen at first admitted the malicious damage to the car and theft from the supermarket but denied the assaults. However, she later pleaded guilty to three counts of common assault and two of grave and criminal assault.

The court heard that she had previous convictions for violence and was assessed at a high risk of reoffending, with Advocate Hallam recommending a prison sentence of two years and four months.

Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, argued for a non-custodial sentence.

He pointed out that the offences had all been committed when Allen was drinking and that she was “a personable young lady” when sober.

He said: “The beginning, middle and end of this is alcohol.”

Advocate Baglin suggested an 18-month probation order, treatment order and community service order, saying: “That would provide some stability and structure.

“She accepts the seriousness of what she has done. This is an intelligent young woman who, off the drink, could be a positive person within the community.

“We have an opportunity to send Miss Allen down the right road.”

But Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae told Allen: “The catalogue of offences of violence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified in your case.”

The Jurats sitting were Kim Averty and Karen Le Cornu.