AN ALCOHOLIC who kicked a woman’s head like she was “taking a penalty” has been jailed.

Joanne Moriarty, 30, was yesterday sent to prison for 27 months after the assault outside Oxford’s Nightshelter homeless hostel in March 2012.

Oxford Crown Court heard it was the eighth attempt to sentence Moriarty after a series of delays due to her bad health.

Prosecutor Nigel Ogborne said Moriarty, of Hart Street, Oxford, attacked Samantha Hutchinson one evening after they had been drinking together during the day.

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He said mum-of-two Moriarty pushed the victim over, adding: “Miss Moriarty started kicking her in the head, face, back and shoulders.”

The lawyer said the victim described suffering a swollen upper lip and broken teeth.

Lucy Tapper, defending, said Moriarty had been the victim of domestic abuse from a young age and was battling alcohol and drug addiction.

She said Moriarty was also now missing her boyfriend Daniel McCollin who was jailed for life in 2012 for the murder of Denis Witney in 2011.

Moriarty was cleared of murder herself after the five-week trial.

Moriarty admitted ABH in March this year before a trial was due to go ahead.

Judge Gordon Risius, sentencing, said a pipe fitter working late at Oxford Crown Court, which is near the homesless centre, had witnessed the attack and told police.

He said: “He described the kicking as similar as taking a football penalty kick.

“He described your behaviour as sickening.”


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