'Jailed' - Cruel couple stole vulnerable woman's purse and attacked her in South Shields home
Court told how couple attacked a vulnerable woman, stealing her purse in South Shields.
A cruel couple stole a woman's purse and assaulted her during a shocking attack.
Shelley Richardson and her then boyfriend Kasey Ames turned on the vulnerable woman, who was left bruised and sore, in January.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Richardson and the victim had gone to Ames' home in South Shields, together and the visit quickly turned sour.
The victim ended up being slapped in the face, warned she would be killed and had her purse, containing £37, stolen before she was pushed out of the property.
In an impact statement, the woman, who has suffered bereavement, said the attack brought back painful memories from her past but added: "They're not going to get the better of me."
Richardson, 56, of Saxon Way, Jarrow, and Ames, 43, of Holbein Road, South Shields, both admitted common assault and theft.
Both have have criminal records.
Richardson, who was on a suspended sentence at the time, has been jailed for 20 months.
Ames was given a two-year community order with rehabilitation requirements and £100 fine.
Judge Julie Clemitson told them: "Shelley Richardson, you took the complainant to the home of your then partner Mr Ames. There, you became agitated.
"Mr Ames, you pestered the complainant, for money, asking her to lend you money, which she initially refused.
"Eventually, as the three of you were walking downstairs to leave, she took out her purse to lend you a small amount of money.
"In amongst that, Miss Richardson you became argumentative with Mr Ames and while remonstrating with him you turned your attention to the complainant, slapping her face.
"She at some point cautioned you to think about what you were doing. She was aware of your situation and what you did instead was threaten to kill her.
"Mr Ames, you continued to harass her until she did take out her purse as you went downstairs and at that point you grabbed hold of it and pushed her out of the door and into the street."
Robin Patton, defending Richardson, said she has a "lifelong addiction" to drugs but has enrolled with agencies who can help her and has managed to stay clean out and of trouble in the past.
Peter Sabiston, defending Ames, who has mental health and drugs problems, said: "He has little memory of the offence due to an epileptic episode but accepts the prosecution account."