Single mothers, 33-year-old Samantha, 32-year-old Leanne, and 29-year-old Louise Whelan laughed as a judge spared them jail time after attacking a man with a hammer in a homophobic tirade.
The sisters also yelled verbal abuse at the man named Peter Taylor after he attempted to stop them from confronting his family friends.
Leanne, who was pregnant, swung a hammer in his face before she and her sisters calling him a ‘fu****’ and a ‘queer.’
The sisters from Wirral were allowed to walk free from Liverpool Crown Court even though they have records of previous offenses.
The judge spared them prison time as locking them up would only cause ‘significant harm’ to their young children.
Their children were playing in the street when the row occurred, the court heard. It was the paternal grandmother of Samantha Whelan’s children, Deborah McKenna, and her son Thomas Carson, who reported her to social services.
The women went to Mr. Carson’s house but became involved in a fight over a family dog with Mr. Carson’s girlfriend Katie Cunningham and Mrs. McKenna.
Peter Taylor intervened to stop the fight, according to prosecutors.
Paul Becker, prosecuting, said the sisters shouted to Mrs. McKenna and Ms. Cunningham to come out, but Mr. Taylor asked them to calm down.
“Samantha Whelan was abusive and said ‘f*** off, we don’t want you,” he said.
Mr. Becker also said that Mr. Taylor stood his ground but Leanne swung a hanger before calling him a fu**** and a queer.
Leanne, who has five previous convictions for ten offenses, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and engaging in threatening behavior.
According to Andrew McInness, defending Leanne, said she was a ‘good mother’ to her children, embarrassed and remorseful. He also said her client and her two eldest children had difficulties.
Louise has twelve previous convictions for 19 offenses. Anna Duke, defending her, said her client’s daughters suffered from dyspraxia and ADHD.
Samantha also has three previous convictions. Bernice Campbell, defending her, said her children have autism.
Judge Woodhall said imprisonment would cause ‘significant harm’ to their children. “It’s hanging over you now – this dispute has got to come to an end.”
The judge imposed 5-year restraining orders to protect Ms. McKenna and Mr. Taylor. He also gave the sisters home curfews for three months and 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirements.
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