Last updated at 12:32, Wednesday, 26 September 2012

A WIFE who branded her love rival a “slag” and a “whore” has been cleared of assault.

SHARON ELIZABETH HEALY

Sharon Elizabeth Healy stood trial in Furness Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with assault and using words to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Healy, 43, pleaded not guilty to both offences but was found guilty of using words to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The court heard Mr Healy had previously admitted to his wife he had a two-and-a-half year relationship with Claire Woodburn from April 2009 to July 2011, though Miss Woodburn denied this in court.

On June 10 Healy, of Summerhill, Bootle, had been visiting her father in Millom with her husband Peter and their daughter.

When they returned home they spotted Miss Woodburn walking her dogs with her father, which prompted Healy to ‘see red’, the court heard.

Mr John Appleby, prosecuting, told the court how Healy walked at speed towards Miss Woodburn and began shouting.

The court heard Miss Woodburn’s father grabbed Healy’s arm in a bid to stop her reaching his daughter.

Miss Woodburn alleged Healy had punched and kicked her ‘up the bum’ following a scuffle.

Magistrates cleared Healy of the charge. Miss Woodburn was left with a swollen cheek and a blood blister following the incident but no witnesses saw Healy assault her.

Healy told the court: “I just saw red. I could not understand why she was walking when she knew I was there.

“I walked fast towards her. It was to have my say. I wanted to let her know that I knew everything. I was shouting. I called her a slag and a whore.

“I was calling her all the names.”

The court heard how Healy has no previous convictions and two glowing reference letters were read, calling her a diligent, calm woman.

Mr Bernard Beckett, presiding magistrate, said: “We have been impressed by the evidence you have given. You accept the accusation and that you saw red, that you had to have your say because you knew everything.”

“You deny any punching and kicking and Mr Woodburn did not see contact. We cannot be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the wounds to Miss Woodburn were caused by you.”

Healy was found not guilty of assault and given a conditional discharge for 12 months for using words to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She was ordered to make a contribution to court costs of £200.

First published at 16:33, Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk