Grandmother's face slashed on eve of daughter's wedding in revenge for alleged prison attack by son
A grandmother's face was slashed hours before her daughter's wedding in revenge for an alleged prison attack by her son.
The terrified woman was attacked by a balaclava-clad stranger after she travelled from Scotland to Northumberland to help with preparations for the big day.
Joy turned to horror for the victim while she was having a cigarette in the garden at her daughter's house in Guide Post at about 11.20am when she was suddenly attacked.
Claire Anderson, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "A man wearing a balaclava approached her from behind and, using something sharp, slashed her, causing a deep three inch cut to her cheek and injury to her hands.
"The man then ran from the property to an Audi car which was waiting."
The victim was taken to hospital and her wound was cleaned and steri-stripped.
A subsequent police investigation revealed the victim's son had allegedly attacked another inmate at HMP Edinburgh with a knife, causing an injury to the man's neck a few weeks earlier.
Cameron Corbett was a registered visitor to the injured inmate.
Miss Anderson said: "The prosecution case is the attack on the victim in this case was a planned revenge attack for the alleged actions of her son."
The police also found the stolen Audi had been to the street in Guide Post three weeks before the attack, having travelled from Edinburgh to do a "reccy".
Corbett, who said he was just the driver not the attacker, was arrested six days after the violent assault following a police chase with the car, which by then had different false registration plates on it.
The court heard the victim has since died from unrelated causes but her daughter said in impact statement: "On this day I was at home with my family preparing for my wedding, which was due to take place the following day.
"What should have been a joyful and memorable time was destroyed by individuals unknown to us, who came to my home to cause harm to my family. My mother was slashed across the face, leaving permanent scarring.
"My mother and I are decent people. I can't comprehend what gave this individual the right to force their way into my home and inflict such a horrific injury on my mother.
"This day will remain with me forever. Even my wedding photos serve as a traumatic reminder of these events.
"Since then, my children have lived in fear something similar will happen again.
"This attack was carried out by strangers for reasons we don't understand. We don't understand why anyone would choose to do this to another human being."
The court heard the woman's young children were in the house at the time of the attack, which happened in the garden.
Corbett, 25, of West Harbour Road, Edinburgh, who has 35 previous convictions, was originally charged with wounding with intent but admitted wounding. His accomplice had not yet been identified.
Jailing Corbett for 29 months, Recorder Paul Reid said: "This was an appalling attack on a totally innocent woman in the presence of her daughter and two small children."
"You participated in this unprovoked attack on this utterly defenceless woman in the presence of others in a revenge attack. This was a grave injury, permanent damage with considerable psychological harm."
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Corbett was paid £500 to drive the car from Edinburgh to Northumberland and said he didn't know what was to happen.