A MUM-of-two has been spared jail after viciously attacking a woman on the dance floor at a wedding.
Jayden O’Neill, 28, left one guest drenched in blood and another with a head wound after a violent meltdown at a swanky venue in Canterbury, Kent.
2
2
But O’Neill managed to dodge jail despite the violent altercation because locking her up would be “too hard” on her kids.
The shocking scenes unfolded at the picture-perfect Winters Barns wedding venue in front of horrified friends and family – including children – during the evening reception.
O’Neill, who was there as a “plus one”, kicked off after a tense run-in with the bride’s family.
CCTV footage caught the chaos erupting around 11pm as guests screamed and tried to step in.
Prosecutor Jodie-Jane Hitchcock said that O’Neill was at the venue in with her boyfriend when “concerns were raised” about her behaviour.
And after overhearing comments, she confronted the bride’s brother, Matthew Wilson and his partner Olivia Cole.
Canterbury Crown Court heard how O’Neill told guests Wilson and Cole: “If you’ve got a problem, say it to my face. I hope you never have children.”
Prosecutors described how, after briefly leaving the party, O’Neill returned and stormed across the dancefloor with a glass in hand and plunged it into Cole’s face, leaving her with a gaping cut to her lip and a deep gash in her arm.
O’Neill was then punched by Wilson and a scuffle broke out on the dancefloor before more guests piled in.
Another man, Graham Rhodes bravely tried to intervene by pulling the pair apart.
But O’Neill then lobbed a second glass at Rhodes, slicing his head open.
Cole had to be rushed to hospital, with doctors warning she may be permanently scarred while Rhodes was treated at the scene.
O’Neill, of Herne Avenue, was later charged not only in respect of the assaults on Ms Cole and Mr Rhodes but also with an offence of intentional strangulation of Mr Wilson.
However, despite the judge declaring the wedding was “ruined” and the violence worthy of a prison sentence, O’Neill walked free from Canterbury Crown Court this week.
Instead, she was handed a suspended 20-month sentence, sparing her jail time so she could continue to care for her two children.
Judge Paul Goldspring told her: “You ruined it. They will never be able to get that day back. Nor will you.
“But you ruined what would otherwise be the greatest day of their lives.”
O’Neill was also allegedly attacked afterwards, the court heard.
She was said to have been dragged around by the hair and punched by other guests in a violent fallout that spilled outside.
‘DEEPLY ASHAMED’
Faye Rolfe, defending, insisted that O’Neill’s behaviour was “out of character” and driven by alcohol and provocation.
The single mum’s defence barrister said that she was “deeply ashamed” of the outburst.
“She doesn’t usually behave like this,” Ms Rolfe said.
“She is the sole carer for her children and is held in high regard by those who know her.”
The court heard the mum suffers from anxiety and depression and was considered at low risk of re-offending.
She was also said to be “set upon” by multiple people in the aftermath of the attack and suffered a chipped tooth and facial cuts.
The court heard a probation report prepared for the sentencing hearing had recommended a curfew and a number of rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
Judge Goldspring said jailing her would “harm her children more” than it would punish her, but made clear: “Drink is no excuse.”
O’Neill must also now complete 120 hours of unpaid work and attend 40 days of rehabilitation sessions in addition to her suspended sentence.
She was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Ms Cole and £100 to Mr Rhodes,
However, the shamed mum will not have to pay it all at once, with instalments of £100 per month.
O’Neill’s holiday plans also remain intact, as the court agreed not to impose a curfew order.
District Judge Goldspring also reminded the mum of the seriousness of her offending.
He said: “Let me be clear. If it wasn’t for the harm caused to children by having their mother taken away from them for a substantial period, your actions that evening merit immediate custody.”
