Judge takes pity on 'good natured' Holbeach woman who admitted assault

A judge took pity on a “good-natured” woman in court for assaulting a woman who had taken advantage of her.

When Agata Paskza (34) spotted Gabriela Kurzyna walking in Spalding, she hopped out of the car and pulled Miss Kurzyna’s hair. They were rowing about the victim having stayed at Paskza’s home without paying rent as agreed.

Boston Magistrates’ Court was told today (Wednesday) that Ms Kurzyna, who – along with her baby - had been taken in by Paskza, had a history of doing a similar thing to other people and had a conviction for withholding around £4,000 owed to a hotel.

Prosecutor Nick Todd said: “About a year before this incident in November last year, Mrs Paskza allowed Gabriela Kurzyna to come to stay with her. She looked after her and paid for various items. Miss Kurzyna failed to pay £500, which raised to £900, and was invited to leave.

“On November 11, Miss Kurzyna was walking in Holbeach Road, Spalding, near the Springfields roundabout. Mrs Paskza was a passenger in a car driven by her husband. She got out and there was an altercation about money owed.

“Mrs Paskza pulled the hair of Miss Kurzyna. They then fell into a hedge. There was a general wrestling by Miss Kurzyna who was trying to phone the police. Eventually other motorists stopped and Mrs Paskza got back in the car driven by her husband, who indeed had urged her to stop, and they drove off.”

Mr Todd added: “I should say that Miss Kurzyna herself has a previous conviction for bilking of a hotel for just under £4,000 around about the time (of her stay). It may well be that the allegation made by this defendant is true but clearly that is not justification for her actions a year on.”

Solicitor Andrew Osborne, mitigating, said his client had been made aware of someone in the community in “desperate” need of somewhere to stay. He said it later became clear that Miss Kurzyna had “made a habit” of staying with people and then moving on.

Paskza, he said, had been upset by this and when she’d questioned the woman in the street had been met with “a bit of an attitude”.

The defendant, of Lawyers Close, Holbeach, pleaded guilty to common assault on November 11 and was given a conditional discharge.

District judge Peter Veits told her: “I understand why you lost it with her. She had taken advantage of your good nature. I take the view that you have been a victim as well by the way you were treated by this lady.

“I’m making no award for compensation as this lady has taken advantage of you financially.”

Paskza was told to pay £85 prosecution costs and £21 victim surcharge.