Newport Woman Gets Suspended Term for Hospital Attack

A 37-year-old Newport woman who assaulted a doctor at the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran has been given a suspended prison sentence. ⚖️

Christine Kenny pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker – Dr Miriam John – in what was described as “a serious and unprovoked attack” on July 10 last year.

Newport Magistrates’ Court heard that there is “a real prospect of rehabilitation” in Kenny’s case.

The defendant also admitted using racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and being drunk and disorderly on Commercial Street in Newport city centre on October 26, 2024.

Kenny, of Caerleon Road, received a 12-week jail sentence for assaulting Dr John, which was suspended for 12 months. She was ordered to pay £100 compensation to her victim.

For the October offences, Kenny was fined £120. She received an additional £80 fine after admitting failure to comply with a community protection notice on Tredegar Street in Newport on March 18.

The court heard that Kenny has previous convictions. In 2021, she was banned from Newport city centre due to anti-social behaviour and made subject to a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO). She was later jailed for six weeks for breaching this order.

The CBO prohibited her from entering several areas including High Street, Friars Walk, Commercial Street, Commercial Road, Kings Street, Newport Bus Station and Lower Dock Street unless attending a pre-arranged appointment with written proof.

She was also barred from entering Debenhams, Sainsbury’s and Tesco in Newport without first obtaining permission from staff.

Additionally, the order prevented her from contacting emergency services on 999 herself or via any third party, unless reporting a genuine emergency requiring immediate response.

At the time of the CBO, Newport crime and disorder reduction officer PC Chris Butt said: “There have been a number of CBOs granted in the Newport area recently for different individuals. We work with our partners to try and engage and support them prior to applying for a CBO, which is brought as a last resort.”