Michael and Jemma Edwards attacked two women aged in their 60s after an argument at the Lime Street Central pub, in Liverpool, causing one of the victims to suffer six separate jaw fractures
A married couple acted like “animals” when they violently attacked two women in their 60s after an argument in a pub, a judge said.
Michael and Jemma Edwards battered the women in a rage after an argument broke out at the Lime Street Central pub, in the centre of Liverpool, on the night of April 24 last year. The pair were dragged away from the two women by other patrons and were ejected from the bar.
But when one of the victims went outside they attacked her again, knocking her to the ground and beating her. One of the women, Louise Kenny, suffered six separate fractures to her jaw, and needed emergency surgery to insert titanium plates into both sides of her jaw. Her wife, Millicent Kenny, suffered bruises and a nose injury which left her unable to taste or smell.
At Liverpool Crown Court, prosecutor Paul Blasbery said the argument arose after Michael Edwards believed one of the women had been laughing at his wife. “The male (Michael Edwards) aggressively shouted to Millicent Kenny ‘why are you laughing at my girlfriend?’. Her reply was ‘I’m not laughing at your girlfriend’,” said Mr Blasbery. “The male replied more aggressively ‘why are you laughing at my f***ing girlfriend?'”
The two women said they had been having a private conversation, but Jemma Edwards then became involved, pointing at Millicent Kenny and shouting an offensive slur. She and her husband then attacked the older couple, reported the Liverpool Echo.
The attack was caught on CCTV, and Merseyside Police released images in a public appeal for information. Michael and Jemma Edwards then turned themselves in. Michael Edwards, 39, from Kirkby, pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm; while his wife Jemma, 31, also from Kirkby, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.
Michael Edwards has three previous convictions for three offences including battery, while Jemma Edwards had no past convictions and was of previous good character. Peter White, defending, said: “I have been instructed to say on their behalf they are acutely aware of the pain they have caused, the consequences of their actions and that they will be punished for these actions.
“Jemma Edwards is 31, of previous good character, with three young children aged between 14 and eight, with particular difficulties with the middle child, aged 12. Jemma is clearly supporting them as best she can, engaging with the local authorities to gain access to services for her children.
“As a result of this process, Jemma Edwards was going into her final year of a paramedic course, and was hoping to have a real vocation. She has now got a conviction for actual bodily harm, and that is not going to happen. It has all been for nothing because of her actions on this occasion.
“Michael Edwards has a long history of employment. Unfortunately he accepted voluntary redundancy. He was unable to work for a long period of time due to his own difficulties. That resulted in difficulties with his previous partner, which had a significant impact on him. But clearly there’s a different side to him as well. He’s 39, lightly convicted, and has never been before the Crown Court on matters of such seriousness.” He added that Michael Edwards had problems with his mental health and drinking, and had referred himself to Alcoholics Anonymous.
Sentencing, judge Andrew Menary said: “I have seen CCTV footage which shows what unfolded and it’s truly disgraceful. The people who were assaulted here, Louise Kenny and Millicent Kenny, were caused very serious injuries as a consequence of what happened.
“The first part of the incident began when one or both of the women confronted you. You responded, Michael Edwards, by delivering a vicious blow to Millicent, and also to Louise. You, Jemma Edwards, involved yourself in that incident as well. Louise, as a consequence of being struck by you, suffered a fracture to the jaw. It was broken in six places and required operative intervention in hospital, and she has been left with numbness to the left side of her face which will be permanent, and some scarring to her face.
“The attack in the pub has come to an end despite, it’s clear, both of you being determined to carry it on. Other members of the public had to hold you both back because, for no reason, you felt determined to cause these mature women real injury.
“You were ejected from the public house. You went outside and when Millicent Kenny came out a further argument developed and you, Jemma, grabbed her by the hair and you, Michael, set about her again. She was beaten to the floor by you and while on the floor you, Jemma, continued to attack her. Both of you again determined to carry on attacking this woman.
“The CCTV footage demonstrated the ferocity of the attack by both of you. Though you, Michael Edwards, caused most of the injuries, this was an attack where both of you were behaving, quite frankly, like animals.”
Michael Edwards was sentenced to two years in prison. Jemma Edwards was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation days and a 12 month mental health treatment course. She cried and embraced her husband as he was taken from the docks to the cells.