She kicked the victim and pulled her hair repeatedly, the court heard
Latifa Namukazi admitted assaulting a woman, causing actual bodily harm harm(Image: Hull Live)
An aggressive young woman viciously assaulted another female in a drink-fuelled “frenzied attack” after a nasty confrontation turned violent outside Hull railway station. Latifa Namukazi “went too far” after having “perhaps a few too many” drinks before the late-night “fight”.
The victim was not expecting any trouble but she was left with unpleasant injuries from the beating, Hull Crown Court heard. Namukazi, 20, previously of New Michael Street, west Hull, admitted assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm harm, on January 22.
Billy Torbett, prosecuting, said that the other woman went out in Hull city centre with a female friend and they went in a bar near St Stephen’s shopping centre between 11pm and midnight on January 21. There was later a dispute with another woman in the bar.
Others followed the woman towards the railway station, when Namukazi became involved, even though the woman had never seen her before. Near the entrance to the railway station, Namukazi and the third woman started running towards her.
Namukazi kicked the victim and pulled her hair repeatedly. The third woman assaulted her and was laughing while the victim pleaded for help. Her head was stood on. “It was prolonged and persistent,” said Mr Torbett.
The victim was left with her nose bleeding and swollen, lumps on her forehead and the back of her neck, and swollen lips. Namukazi was pulled off her by a member of the public.
“The police attended but the defendant was abusive to officers,” said Mr Torbett. The woman later said that she thought that the third woman was her friend and she did not expect what happened.
“I do not know why the other girl attacked me,” she said. “I hadn’t even spoken to her.”
Namukazi made no comment to questions during police interview. She had no previous convictions.
Hannah Turner, mitigating, said that there was a significant background to the case. Namukazi claimed that there was a significant degree of provocation before the assault. She had written a letter to the court.
“She has deep, deep regret for her actions on that day and deep remorse,” said Miss Turner. “This is behaviour that is entirely out of character for her. “It’s clear that it’s genuine remorse.”
Recorder Brian Whitehead said that Namukazi had been drinking – “perhaps a few too many” – and, for some reason, an argument broke out.
“A fight broke out,” said Recorder Whitehead. “You accept that you went too far. It was a frenzied attack. You had to be physically restrained. It left the complainant with some injuries, cuts and bruises.”
Namukazi, recently of Whitley Road, Reading, was given an eight-month suspended custodial sentence, 100 hours’ unpaid work and 15 days’ rehabilitation. She will have to pay a £187 victims’ surcharge.