| abstract | - When Chesney Brown was caught shoplifting in The Kabin by Rita Sullivan in January 2004, she gave him a quick clip round the ear. He then tried to make a quick getaway and banged his head in the attempt. Rapacious mother Cilla Brown saw this as an opportunity to make some money from Rita by claiming compensation for the "injuries" her son had endured following this assault. The first stage was to get Chesney checked in hospital where nothing untoward was found except superficial cuts and bruises but nevertheless the consultation was lodged on record. After phoning Chesney's school to tell him that he was being kept off sick due to a "serious assault", Cilla then took her child to the police station where she reported the matter. Rita was taken in for questioning by PC Worthington while Norris Cole rang her solicitor, Leah Mirrelson to meet her at the station. Before her interview, Leah warned Rita of the rights that children enjoyed these days and to tread carefully but when she stoutly defended her behaviour to Worthington, he referred the case to his Sergeant. He charged Rita with assault causing actual bodily harm on a minor and bailed her to appear at Weatherfield Magistrates Court court in two days time. Rita's court case was adjourned for a further hearing in February and in the meantime Leah proceeded with the case, warning her client that the judgement would in all probability not be based on evidence itself but on who the judge believed to be the more credible witness. At the court, she reminded Rita to stay calm at all costs and not allow herself to be riled. Unfortunately Rita forgot this advice when questioned by prosecutor Jordanna James. Leah also considered it not worthwhile to cross-examine Cilla as she said that she was just the type who would stick to her story and repeat comments she had already made. When the judgement was given, Rita was told she had to pay five hundred pounds compensation to Chesney, at which point she lost her temper and told the bench what she thought of them. Norris also shouted his opinion from the gallery at which the two were charged with contempt of court. Leah advised them to both apologise. Norris did so at Rita's bidding and was set free but she gave the magistrates another dose of her vitriol and was kept in the cells overnight. The next day Rita did apologise, unable to spend another night like the previous one.
|
