A THUG attacked her sister-in-law “like a wild animal” after downing prosecco and Baileys on Boxing Day.
Emma Varrall had been friends with Debbie Hook for more than 30 years when she launched into the savage attack.
SWNSDebbie Hook was brutally beaten by her sister-in-law[/caption]
SWNSShe was left with a shoe print on her back[/caption]
The 49-year-old punched and kicked Debbie, who was a bridesmaid at her wedding, so violently she was left with a shoe imprint on her back.
Shocking pictures also show the 53-year-old with deep bruising to her face following the brutal attack.
Varrall has now been slapped with a 12-month restraining order and 20-month suspended sentence after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm.
Canterbury Crown Court heard the atmosphere on Boxing Day in 2021 had been “happy and fine” before the horror.
But at around 8pm, Debbie found Varrall shouting at her daughter, causing her son to get involved.
Debbie then stepped in and was punched in the face by raging Varrall before being shoved to the ground.
Prosecutor Ben Wild said: “Debbie Hook was screaming at the defendant to stop but nonetheless she has gone on to kick and punch her to the body.”
Her son took crying Debbie to the garden but the attack resumed when she attempted to grab her shoes.
At this point, her husband – Varrall’s brother – came out to find his sister beating his wife.
The prosecutor said: “He described the defendant as acting like a wild animal and having gone completely crazy.
“She had been drinking prosecco and Baileys and it was the first time he had seen her drink for a while.”
The court was told the family has been ripped apart by the unprovoked attack.
In a victim impact statement, Debbie fought back tears as she told how she feared her sister-in-law would kill her.
She said the family had been “harmonious” before the assault and explained how Varrall had previously been “like a sister” to her.
Debbie added: “The unprovoked attack was a complete shock. I genuinely believed she couldn’t have possibly known it was me she was attacking. It just didn’t seem possible.
“I kept screaming at her to stop hitting me… I genuinely thought if she didn’t stop she would kill me. I was in fear of my life.
“By her terrible actions she has decimated the trust I once had for her and my children have lost all respect (for her).
“Our lives will never be as they were as no one will ever forget what Emma did… If Emma is capable of assaulting a family member in an unprovoked attack then she is capable of hurting anyone.”
As well as the restraining order, Varrall will be subject to a six-month tagged curfew between 6pm and 6am.
She was also ordered to pay Debbie £1,000 compensation.
Sentencing, Recorder Paul Taylor KC said: “‘I am not sure I have ever seen a case as bad as this in terms of you having split the family up. You have broken it apart.”
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