A WOMAN burst into her neighbour’s home and attacked her after falsely believing she was abusing children.
Beautician Natalie Shelley, 37, stormed her former pal’s half-a-million pound pad when she “lost all grip of reality” in the bungled assault.
CavendishNatalie Shelley strangled her pal and neighbour[/caption]
CavendishCeline Woodfield said she was forced to sell up her home following the attack[/caption]
CavendishShelley was handed a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months[/caption]
Shelley wrongly believed Celine Woodfield, 35, and her ex-partner were both involved in allegations of sex abuse against two kids, a court heard.
After finding out about the claims, Shelley decided to launch into a frenzy, forcing her way into the property and choking Celine until she could barely breathe.
The crazed business-owner also grabbed Celine’s hair and “yanked” her head up and down before a man pulled her away.
Chester Crown Court heard Shelley had called police about the allegations, who told her they would ring her back.
Despite the interaction, Shelley decided to take matters into her own hands and confront Celine in her own home.
Celine wasn’t injured in the attack – but was so traumatised she had to sell her four-bed home near Hartford, Cheshire.
It is understood that no charges have been brought against Celine or her former partner in relation to the suspected abuse.
There is also no suggestion she was ever under investigation.
In a victim impact statement Celine said: “My day-to-day life has been completely changed since this incident, with my mental health taking a considerable toll.
“My anxiety levels have shot through the roof to a level which I have never experienced before, and I have been feeling paranoid about any further problems which Natalie may cause me.
She had a crazy look on her face
Jayne Morris, prosecuting
“To have somebody force entry to my home, my safe, private and personal space, and then go on to seriously assault me and strangle me, has been huge, both emotionally and financially.
“After the incident, I no longer felt like my home was safe, especially given that Natalie lived just a few houses away from me.”
Jayne Morris, prosecuting, said Shelley had a “crazy look on her face” when she knocked on Celine’s door before pushing her way in shouting “rape”.
Ms Morris added: “Ms Woodfield thought if she spoke to the defendant she might calm her down, but instead the defendant pushed her into the kitchen and grabbed her neck with both hands.
“She squeezed tightly and pushed her back towards the kitchen worktop near the sink.
“The defendant was shouting at her continuously and grabbed her throat for about 30 seconds.
“She says she felt like she could not breathe and when the defendant did let go, she grabbed Ms Woodfield’s hair very forcibly and in her words was ‘yanking her head from side to side and up and down’.
“A male friend was eventually able to usher Shelley outside.”
Defending, Gareth Roberts said Shelley was ashamed and embarrassed by what she did.
He told the court: “She is a university graduate and has never been in trouble before in her life.
“Mrs Shelley initially acted properly, contacted the police and was told to wait for the officer to phone her back.
“But at this stage, she made the extremely unwise and stupid decision and went round to confront her.
“She lost all grip of reality and her senses.”
Shelley admitted assault and non-fatal strangulation after the incident in June last year.
Judge Simon Berkson said the attack was “nasty and determined” but out of character.
As he handed her a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Shelley wept.
Along with 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation, Shelley was also banned from contacting Celine for 10 years.
CavendishCeline wasn’t injured in the attack[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
