Dementia nurse, 56, has head stamped on after starting fight with teenagers

A dementia nurse started a fight with a group of teenagers and got beaten up, with her head being stamped on several times. Joanne Cook had been out celebrating her 56th birthday when she spotted a young woman who she believed had earlier beaten up her daughter.

Cook approached the younger woman in Mansfield Street, in Leicester city centre, and punched her. The victim of that first punch - who has never been identified - was with a group of other young women who rushed to their friend's help.

Cook was pushed to the ground and repeatedly struck by teenagers in the incident, which happened at about 2.30am on Saturday, October 28. The violence was broken up by Leicestershire Police officers within minutes.

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At Leicester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Cook pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour intended to cause fear of violence. The magistrates were shown CCTV footage of the attack, in which Cook could be seen getting punched, kicked and stamped on in the street after she had thrown the first punch.

Heather Glover, representing Cook, of Woodhouse Road, Narborough, told the magistrates: "She sees the lady who's assaulted her daughter and approached to ask her why. There was no intention to assault her initially, or for it to escalate.

"She comes off worse. She was interviewed [by police] and apologised for her behaviour and is more than embarrassed by what occurred. What should have been a few drinks out for her birthday has changed her life."

Ms Glover told the magistrates that Cook's bosses at the care home where she works were unaware of the court case and that Cook planned to tell them afterwards and could lose her job. She added that Cook had been preparing to foster her daughter's children but that she would no longer be allowed to do so, and they would remain in care.

Cook was fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £160 victim surcharge.

Three of the teenagers who attacked Cook were also charged over the same incident. Two young women, both aged 19, and an 18-year-old male were also charged with threatening behaviour intended to cause fear of violence and were to be dealt with separately in a later hearing.