An "out of control" resident bit a woman and hit her with a kettle and TV during a violent attack in her own bedroom.
Mary Akurut and the victim were living in the same Newcastle hostel, in Byker, when the former burst into the latter's accommodation and began assaulting her. A court heard that Akurut bit, punched and kicked the female before striking her with a TV and kettle.
Other concerned residents tried to intervene but the 34-year-old picked up items and made threats before going on to assault some of them also, prosecutors said. The violent incident, at Cedar House, was finally brought to an end when Akurut was arrested.
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The victim suffered facial injuries and a cut to her ear but didn't attend hospital. In a statement, she said: "The incident really upset me and I'm in a lot of pain from my injury. I don't feel safe in my own room any longer as this is where the attack happened. It was completely unprovoked and has disturbed me."
Akurut, of Maryhill Close, in Benwell, has now narrowly avoided an immediate stint behind bars after she appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Instead, she was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
District Judge Paul Currer told her: "It was a very unpleasant incident where you attacked a woman in her own room - that's a serious offence. You were completely out of control. You bit her and threw things at her and damaged property.
"When other residents tried to intervene, you used threats towards them. It must have been an extremely frightening experience for this woman and the others who witnessed it. You were completely out of control."
The court heard that the victim had been in her room on the evening of December 22 last year when Akurut burst in. Rehana Haque, prosecuting, added: "The defendant punched, kicked and bit the complainant and hit her with a kettle and TV, causing damage to both.
"The victim suffered facial injuries and a cut to her ear. She didn't go to hospital for treatment. In relation to the affray, others within Cedar House were assaulted. There's evidence from CCTV of that. The defendant picks up items and poses a risk to everyone within her vicinity."
Mark Harrison, defending, said Akurut, who has a number of past convictions, had recently been engaging well with the Probation Service and had been working on lowering her drinking levels. He added: "She's a very vulnerable woman."
As well as the suspended sentence, Akurut was also ordered to pay £200 compensation.
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