by Phil Coleman

Last updated at 08:22, Thursday, 21 February 2013

A teenage girl who was offended by the laughter of an off-duty police officer subjected her to sustained violence, which included biting her victim in the neck.

Jasmine Moore, 18, later claimed she reacted violently because she thought somebody laughed at her.

What began as a happy night out in Carlisle with friends for victim Kimberley Kidd finished as Moore grabbed her by the hair, dragging her so violently that clumps came out in the teenager’s hands.

Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard how the defendant had been out drinking with friends and was walking through The Crescent area of the city early on August 18 when the group passed Miss Kidd and her friends.

“There seems to have been the thought from Miss Moore that members of Miss Kidd’s party were laughing at her,” said Cath McClenan, prosecuting the case.

“She commented, asking: ‘Who are they laughing at?’ but Miss Kidd said she didn’t want any trouble and turned to walk away.

“But Miss Moore then pulled her down to the ground by her hair from behind, and dragged her to a bus stop which was nearby.”

Miss Kidd screamed to be let go as her attacker held on to her hair, and attempted to gouge her eye, and scratch her in the face.

“Miss Kidd put her hands to her face, but Miss Moore then kicked her to the face and struck her to the mouth.”

In a desperate attempt to break free, Miss Kidd punched her attacker’s legs and then bit Moore on the leg. Miss McClenan said the defendant reacted by getting on to the ground, and biting into Miss Kidd’s neck, doing it so hard that the victim felt the teenager’s teeth sinking into her muscle tissue.

The prosecutor added: “Miss Kidd was screaming out in pain, which she described as excruciating.”

The attack ended when police officers who were on duty in the area intervened, though Moore resisted arrest, the court heard.

Moore, from Heathhall, Dumfries, later denied a single charge of common assault but was convicted after a trial. She admitted resisting arrest.

Her defence lawyer Helen Wallace said her client had been under the influence of “a lot of alcohol” and now felt very remorseful about what happened. The only reason Moore had used her teeth was that she herself had been bitten by Miss Kidd, said Miss Wallace.

Magistrates imposed three months custody, but suspended the jail term for a year. They also imposed a supervision order, 200 hours unpaid work, and told Moore to pay her victim £450 compensation and £50 costs.

First published at 08:20, Thursday, 21 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk