The night began with laughter and a seemingly harmless outing, but quickly descended into violence. Two women, Ceri Chase and Chelsea Smith, found themselves facing a court after a brutal attack left two others injured and terrified.
CCTV footage revealed a shocking scene. Smith relentlessly struck a woman on the floor, repeatedly hitting her even as she attempted to rise, finally knocking her down again with a forceful blow to the back. The attack was sustained and vicious.
Chase didn’t hesitate to join the assault, pulling the woman away only to deliver her own blows to the back before casually walking away from the chaos she helped create. The footage painted a disturbing picture of coordinated aggression.
One of the victims, recalling the ordeal, described a terrifying blur of pain and fear. She remembered desperately trying to defend herself, then the sickening impact of being on the floor, and the sensation of being kicked repeatedly in the face and ankles.
She vividly recalled the agonizing feeling of her hair being yanked, a wave of numbness washing over her as panic set in. The next clear memory was the calming presence of police officers, finally bringing an end to the assault.
A third individual participated in the attack, but remains unidentified and at large, evading justice alongside Chase and Smith. The search for this third assailant continues.
Smith, a mother of a nine-year-old, attempted to explain her actions, claiming she was profoundly intoxicated – a “10 out of 10 drunk” – after a “bottomless brunch” where excessive drinking was encouraged. The event fostered a dangerous environment.
Chase, a healthcare assistant and mother of a three-year-old, attributed her intoxication to a birthday celebration. Despite their explanations, both women pleaded guilty to assault, though they denied inflicting kicks upon either victim.
The court delivered its verdict: a 12-month community order for both Chase and Smith, coupled with a two-year restraining order, ensuring they remain separated from their victims. The consequences of that night will linger for years to come.
