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Wakefield tot tragedy mum walks free after scissor attack
A MUM whose toddler was mauled to death by a family Rottweiler has walked free from court after slashing her best friend's face with scissors.
Rebecca Hirst, 18, lashed out during a booze-fuelled row with Stacey Marsden after an emotional evening talking about little Archie-Lee's death.
The conversation later descended into violence after a row broke out about boyfriends prompting Miss Marsden to strangle Hirst.
Hirst then grabbed the scissors attacking her friend causing a string of injuries including a cut to her cheek which needed ten stitches.
Hirst's 13-month-old son Archie-Lee was killed by the Rottweiler, owned by her parents John and Sharon Hirst, in the back yard of their home on Chald Lane, Wakefield on December 28 last year.
Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday (WED) that Hirst had never been offered any counselling since the tragedy.
On April 18 this year, Hirst and Miss Marsden had been out in Wakefield drinking heavily.
They returned to Hirst's home in Bevan Place, Lupset, where they talked through the night.
For the prosecution, Richard Wright said: "The talk was emotional as both were upset and were talking about the defendant's child who died earlier having been mauled to death by a dog.
"At 6am the conversation turned to the behaviour of the complainant who had recently, in the defendant's view, been cheating on the complainant's own boyfriend.
"The complainant attacked the defendant by strangling her. The defendant reached into the kitchen drawer, picked up the scissors and accepts she went too far in striking out at the complainant."
Hirst had denied wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but admitted a lesser charge of unlawful wounding.
Sentencing her, Judge Robert Bartfield, asked to see Miss Marsden face which still has a visible scar.
The court heard the two women have reconciled and are now close friends again.
The judge said: "It's greatly to that girl's credit - Stacey - that she has remained the closest friend to you and you support one another."
He added that the attack - although "serious and unjustifiable" - was done on the spur of the moment and in "a moment of anguish".
Hirst was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years, during which time she will undergo a supervision order.
Archie-Lee was spending Christmas at his grandparents' house when the dog, described as weighing "in the region of seven to 10 stones," launched the unexpected attack.
Archie-Lee had been left with his aunts Kara, 16, and Maia, seven, when he was attacked by the dog.
He was being carried to the back door by the seven-year-old when the dog, which was said to be used to children, snatched the child out of her arms.
Kara tried to fight off the dog but was unable to rescue Archie-Lee from the animal's jaws. Archie-Lee died in hospital from multiple injuries.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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