Woman who attacked 69-year-old in Spalding town centre warned to behave or face ‘five years’ in jail

A woman who attacked a 69-year-old in a town centre has been given a chance to turn her life around – or face jail.

District Judge Peter Veits told 41-year-old Donna Pleasance she could face up to five years behind bars if she failed to follow a community order imposed upon her following an altercation which took place in Spalding on November 16.

Pleasance pleaded guilty to assault by beating when she appeared at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (January 24).

“The victim was a 69-year-old female who said she had known Miss Pleasance for many years as they both used to live in Bourne,” prosecutor Shelley Wilson told the court.

“The victim was walking through Sheep Market in Spalding at around 3pm when she walked past Miss Pleasance in a door way in a shop.”

The court was told Pleasance asked the victim ‘what are you looking at?’ and began swearing at her.

The prosecution added that Pleasance ‘became aggressive’ before shoving the victim ‘with enough force to knock her off her feet’.

The court was told this caused the victim to fall back and hurt her back and arm before Pleasance threatened: “If I get arrested because of this I’ll burn your flat out.”

In police interview, Pleasance said she pushed the victim away as she felt she was being aggressive towards her.

However, the prosecution added ‘this was not consistent with CCTV footage’.

Defending Pleasance – who has 11 previous assault convictions – Rebecca Freitas said her client was homeless at the time of the incident and ‘everything was getting on top of her’.

She added that Pleasance - who receives Universal Credit and has been staying in a Travelodge in Peterborough, before returning to accommodation in Spalding on the day of her hearing – has been using a methadone prescription to fight a heroin addiction, and has been free of the drug for three years.

Following a probation report, District Judge Peter Veits ordered Pleasance to undertake a 12-month community order, including 20 rehab activity requirement days.

The defendant must also pay £50 compensation to the victim, plus the £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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Judge Veits also ordered a two-year restraining order demanding no contact with the victim.

“If you see her in the street then walk away,” he added.

“If you breach this order you could be looking at five years in prison.”