South Shields woman in court after dispute over benefits payments turned to violence

Newcastle Crown and Magistrates Court --- Stock
-Credit: (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)


A woman was left fearing for her safety and feeling "useless" after being attacked following an altercation sparked by a dispute over benefits payments.

Abigail George was on bail for burglary, fraud and conveying class A drugs into a prison when she launched an attack on her victim following an altercation between their partners over benefits payments. When police arrived, they had to pull the 38-year-old off her victim, who was left needing hospital treatment for her injuries.

In a victim statement read to the court, the woman said she has been left feeling "useless", scared for her safety, and did not want to be left alone since the incident. She added: "I keep having flashbacks and reliving what happened. I'm so upset."

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Newcastle Crown Court heard that on the evening of November 25, 2022, there was an altercation between the partners of George and the victim. The court was told the victim's partner stopped allowing George's partner to use the couple's bank account to receive benefits payments.

George's partner approached the victim and her partner as they were unloading their car at home and an altercation arose, sparking concern for the victim who went inside the house to phone the police. When she returned she saw George walking towards her with a brick before discarding it.

However, the situation escalated further when George was told by her partner that the victim had hit him, resulting in a verbal altercation between both women. The court heard that George then punched the victim in the face, knocking her glasses off her head and causing her to fall to the floor. And when police arrived at the scene, officers had to pull George off the victim.

Judge Carolyn Scott said: "You undoubtedly had the upper hand in that struggle, such that the police had to pull you off her. You continued to be aggressive and tried to get close to her again."

She added: "Had police not pulled you off [the victim] I have no doubt that you would have continued."

George, of South Frederick Street, South Shields, who has three previous convictions for seven offenses, was on bail at the time of the incident following a 40 month prison sentence for burglary, fraud and conveying class A drugs into a prison.

She pleaded guilty to ABH (actual bodily harm) and was sentenced to an 18 month community order, during which she must complete 180 hours of community work. Judge Scott also issued George with a five year restraining order preventing her from contacting the victim. She will also be given an electronic tag for two months.

The court heard that George was sorry for her actions and had offered compensation to the victim.