Hessle, England — A shocking episode unfolded in a local pub when a 31-year-old mother, Kirsty Allen, assaulted another woman with a hammer after discovering an affair between the victim and her boyfriend. The incident, which took place on April 5 last year, resulted in severe injuries to the victim and an 18-month jail sentence for Allen.
Allen, who has two children, learned of the betrayal while she was pregnant, which led to a violent confrontation at the Fiveways Hotel in Hessle. During the attack, she struck the other woman on the left side of the face with a hammer, leading to a fractured cheekbone and a significant cut.
Prosecutor Emma Handley detailed the events in Hull Crown Court, noting that Allen had previously confronted the woman about the affair on March 13 but had not resorted to violence until the incident at the pub. As per Handley, “The defendant bypassed other patrons and, without warning, attacked the victim from behind, shouting threats as she did so.”
The assault was particularly harrowing as it took place in the presence of a child playing near the pool table, adding to the chaos and fear experienced by other pub-goers. Several patrons intervened to halt the attack and assist the victim, while a family was seen fleeing the location in fear.
In the aftermath of the assault, the victim expressed profound psychological distress. She reported a significant fear of being outside alone and a resurgence of social anxiety, which has altered her once outgoing personality to being more subdued and worried about the safety of her family and friends.
Allen’s defense argued that her actions, spurred by emotional distress caused by her boyfriend’s infidelity and concerns about her health, were out of character. Attorney Chaynee Hodgetts stated, “The defendant is remorseful and recognizes the irrationality of her actions, carried out in a moment of overwhelming emotional turmoil.”
The court learned that Allen had previous convictions related to assault, which contributed to the decision to impose a custodial sentence. Judge Mark Bury, presiding over the case, emphasized the need for a custodial sentence, stating that only such a measure could serve as appropriate punishment given the severity of the assault.
During the sentencing, the judge also addressed the alarming nature of the CCTV footage, which captured the incident and was described as shocking to watch. Allen, who had been on bail, showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.
As the legal proceedings concluded, the community and local authorities expressed hope that such an incident would not recur, highlighting the need for awareness and intervention strategies to prevent domestic and public violence stemming from personal conflicts. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for personal grievances to escalate into violence, impacting individuals and communities alike.