A woman who battered an acquaintance and stole her jacket has been handed help and support to tackle her long-standing troubles with addiction.
Olivia Rennie had been out for a walk in Fraserburgh with the woman and a third person when she carried out the unprovoked attack.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that Rennie had taken a “potentially lethal cocktail of drugs” before she lashed out and began punching the woman in the face before wrestling her jacket off her.
The 24-year-old made off with the garment but was lifted by police officers later the same day – while wearing the jacket.
Repeatedly punched pal in the face
Fiscal depute Lucy Simpson said the assault happened at 8.15pm on March 29 this year when the friends were walking on Park Street in Fraserburgh.
“Suddenly, the accused repeatedly punched the complainer in the face before seizing hold of the jacket she was wearing and removing it from her,” she said.
“The jacket had the complainer’s mobile telephone, a quantity of cash and medication and house keys within it.”
Rennie continued to act in an “aggressive manner” so the woman, sporting a swollen and bloodied lip and a graze on her neck, opted to walk away.
Police were alerted to the attack and took the woman home. They later found Rennie still wearing the stolen jacket and took her to hospital due to her intoxication.
She was discharged the following day and taken to Fraserburgh police station where she confirmed she’d consumed a “cocktail” of drugs throughout the evening.
Drugs ‘could have been lethal’
Rennie pled guilty to charges of assault to injury and robbery.
Defence agent Sam Milligan said his client had a “chronic drug problem” and had taken a “potentially lethal cocktail” of drugs on the evening in question.
He said Rennie had a “turbulent childhood” and that a background report charted “involvement in illicit drugs from age 12”.
The solicitor added she’s spent three months in prison in relation to this offence but had “shown herself in the best light” and provided a drug treatment and testing order assessment that was “glowing in its terms”.
“Her recovery is very much in its infancy,” Mr Milligan said. “But there are half a dozen professionals working with her and she has impressed them to a suitable degree.”
Sheriff Ian Wallace noted there were reservations over Rennie’s past compliance with such orders but told her she had shown “encouraging progress”.
He handed Rennie, of Duncan Street, Banff, a 12-month drug treatment and testing order meaning she must provide eight drug samples per month to supervising officers for the next year.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.