A heavily pregnant woman and her best friend have avoided jail for a 'disgraceful' attack on a woman sparked by an online row.
Best pals Laura Jones and Emily Wright turned up at their victim's home at 6.30am with Wright starting to pelt her with eggs.
Wright, 29, then stamped on the victim's legs, while Jones, 33, kneed her in the head, struck her and tried to pour vinegar in her eyes, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was told.
At one point a picture frame was thrown across the room. Later that same day, Wright returned to the address and grabbed the woman's hair, pulling her to the floor and spitting in her face.
Now both mums have both been handed restraining orders. Prosecutor Elizabeth Powers said the incident happened on July 24, 2020.
She added: "The victim awoke to noises coming from downstairs. She recognised the voices as those of the defendants.
"After going downstairs, both were in the front doorway which had been left unlocked. The pair had shouted. Ms Wright was holding a box of eggs and Jones a bottle of vinegar. Ms Wright started to throw eggs towards her. The victim was grabbed by her hair which was twisted and she was pulled to the ground.
"Ms Jones kneed her in the head while Ms Wright stamped on her legs. Ms Jones also attempted to pour the bottle of vinegar into her eyes. The pair threatened to 'smash your house up' and went into the front room and threw a picture frame across the room."
A victim impact statement was read out in court, Stoke on Trent Live reports.
The emotional account stated: "I was previously was extroverted and enjoyed going out. That is no longer the case. I am in constant fear and have had to move address. I am fearful, I have constant anxiety and worry."
Jones, of Moorland Road, Burslem, and Wright, of Sunnyside Avenue, Tunstall, both pleaded guilty to affray.
Mr Brody, mitigating for Jones, said his client is heavily pregnant. He added: ""The defence counsel together believes this doesn't reach the custody threshold. Ms Jones is pregnant, she cannot go to prison.
"Each is accepting their own responsibility that this was an immature response to an online altercation. They know not to breach their order."
Mr Watkins, representing Wright, said "I have nothing further to add."
Judge Julian Taylor handed both women 12-month community orders and restraining orders. Wright must complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) and Jones 10 days of RAR.
Judge Taylor told them: "This is a very unpleasant incident and you have made fools of yourselves. You are two young women in crown court to be sentenced on affray. I am surprised there were not more injuries.
"It is disgraceful. There were no previous convictions and the guidelines say the custody threshold is not met. If you do not cooperate with your community orders then you will go to prison. If you breach your probation you will come back here.
"Ms Jones, you are about to have a baby, I have considered a delay, but I will hand you a suitable community order. The pair of you need to behave yourselves in the future. You do not contact the victim full stop.
"You two should count yourselves lucky that you are being given a chance. It is regrettable to see women in such a disappointing episode."
