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Assault in DVD shop
A DRIFFIELD woman attacked a member of staff in a town centre film rental shop after being told she could not take out any DVDs because she did not have membership, a court has heard.
Just weeks after being acquitted of murder at the Old Bailey, Corrina Louise Lowe, 28, of Northfield Avenue was brought before magistrates in Bridlington to answer to a charge of common assault.
Lowe pleaded guilty to the offence at last Wednesday’s hearing and was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, Jacqueline Elaine Miller, who suffered a cut lip which needed gluing, after being hit in the face with a chip and pin machine in Blockbusters, on Middle Street South.
Prosecutor Jayne Wilson told the court that Ms Miller had been working behind the counter at the store on April 12 when Lowe tried to rent some DVDs.
Lowe claimed she was a member of Blockbusters but did not have her membership card on her. But a check of the system revealed no record of her being a member.
When Lowe was told she could not rent the films she became aggressive, picked up the chip and pin machine off the counter and threw it at Ms Miller leaving her with swelling and bruising to her left eye, and a cut lip, the court heard.
Lowe told the police she could not remember anything about the incident because she had drunk four cans of Special Brew.
In mitigation Ed Cunnah said Lowe was charged with this offence on April 26, but the next day she had to report back to a police station in London when she was charged with murder.
Mr Cunnah said, since April 27 until two days before Christmas, Lowe had been remanded in Holloway prison, and after a six-week trial was found not guilty of murder.
But Mr Cunnah said the time in prison had been a turning point for Lowe.
“For the last two or three years she has had a drink problem and this incident is part of the consequences of her drink problem.
“She accepts what the prosecution witnesses say about the incident, however I’m sure you understand that while she has been in Holloway prison she hasn’t had anything to drink,” Mr Cunnah said.
Mr Cunnah said Lowe had returned to live with her uncle in Driffield who had been telling her, before this incident and since her release from prison, that she had to cut out the alcohol.
“She is determined she will continue on that particular street because there can’t be anything much more frightening than being arrested in February in respect of murder. She realises that the only reason that she was being considered for that was drink, then getting involved in this matter - the only reason being drink - and then sitting staring at the four walls in Holloway prison. That will stay with her for an enormous period of time,” Mr Cunnah said.
Passing sentence, presiding magistrate Robin Sunley said: “These are extremely exceptional circumstances and you have spent a long time inside, and probably one of the good things from that is you have been able to keep off drink.”
“Shop staff do need protecting, however this is a long time ago and a lot has happened in your life since then,” Mr Sunley added.
Lowe was given a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim.
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Weather for Driffield
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
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