A mother-of-two fell prey to ‘merciless’ thugs who beat her to death in a hostel where she had fled to escape domestic violence.
Leanne Patterson was targeted by bullies at the Changing Lives hostel in Blyth, Northumberland, as she recovered from alcoholism.
But as she tried to recover the 36-year-old ‘frail and easy target’ was viciously beaten by fellow residents Dawn Thompson, Jenny Winfield and Scott Gibson
Thompson, who has 173 previous convictions, was jailed for 12 months at Newcastle Crown Court for her role in the sickening attack.
Twice in the space of a few days, Ms Patterson was attacked at the hostel and admitted to hospital with injuries, the court heard.
She was discharged but then readmitted and died from complications linked to a problem with her stomach.
Police were unable to prove the violence meted out by ‘despicable’ Dawn Thompson and Jenny Winfield had caused or contributed to her death so the pair were charged with assault.
Thompson, 43, and Winfield, both from North Shields were jailed for 12 months and given a suspended prison sentence, respectively.
Scott Gibson was charged with common assault for his role and jailed for 14 weeks by magistrates.
As the two women were sentenced, Ms Patterson’s uncle Ronnie Patterson read out a victim impact statement on behalf of her grandmother, Gladys Patterson.
The said the ‘lovely’ mother-of-two’s health had deteriorated due to her alcohol dependency and she moved to the Changing Lives hostel to escape domestic violence.
The statement added: ‘This was a place where she should have felt safe and protected by staff but this was not the case.
‘She was bullied and assaulted on numerous occasions by other residents. I can’t bear to think how long this went on for.
‘As a result of the assault she was admitted to hospital, where she never recovered and later died. We believe, as a family, that they are entirely responsible for her death.
‘We believe Leanne was frail and an easy target. She had her faults but should not have been treated in this way. I don’t think she could have defended herself.
‘We just want justice for Leanne and those responsible for assaulting her to be punished.’
On March 25 last year Ms Patterson was approached in the TV room of the hostel by Thompson and directed outside into the back yard around 8pm.
She was accused of keeping money to herself that was given to her to pay off a debt.
Thompson head-butted her, pinned her to a wall and pushed her to the floor, causing Ms Patterson to hit her head on a fire extinguisher. She then pushed her through a door as Gibson flicked a lit cigarette at her.
Ms Patterson then ended up on the ground again, with Thompson shouting in her face and Gibson repeatedly jabbed his finger into her face.
On March 29, Ms Patterson went to Changing Lives with her partner to pick up her belongings and tell staff she was unable to stay there any longer because of problems she was having.
Prosecutor Michael Bunch said: ‘She spoke to staff and Thompson approached her, took her by the hand, leading her outside.
‘As she did so, Winfield was captured smiling and clenching her fist in a celebratory gesture.
‘They went outside, out of site of the cameras and Thompson reappeared 25 seconds after going from view. She is joined ten seconds later by Winfield and both women check their right hands.’
Ms Patterson had been injured by the pair and was taken to the emergency hospital in Cramlington with Thompson going with her and posing as a friend.
Mr Bunch said: ‘Another resident was told by Thompson she had “battered and done in Miss Patterson.”‘
Ms Patterson suffered bruising and swelling to her face, a cut lip, and her tooth had pierced through her lip. She also had a mixture of old and new bruising to her chest and abdomen and back.
Judge Tim Gittins said the attackers were caught on camera ‘gloating’ and ‘wiping blood from their hands onto their clothing.’
Mr Bunch added: ‘That night, Thompson was evicted from Changing Lives as a consequence.
‘She told staff Miss Patterson deserved what she got and it was due to money that was owed.
‘Other witnesses heard Thompson boasting about the assault and saying she injured herself so as to raise self-defence if challenged.’
Ms Patterson was readmitted to hospital on April 5 due to an injury to her stomach and died on April 18 last year.
The prosecutor said that ‘careful consideration’ had been given to the case and it was decided assault charges were appropriate.
Thompson, who has 173 previous convictions and was also in breach of a suspended sentence, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
Winfield, who has seven previous convictions, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She was given nine months suspended for 18 months with 125 hours unpaid work and a four month night time curfew.
Judge Gittins told the pair: ‘It’s clear from the victim impact statement that her family, understandably, attribute some of the cause of her death at your hands.
‘The Crown, however, looking at the evidence as they have done so carefully, can’t do that.
‘No doubt it ought to be on your consciences, at the very least that you made her last days on this earth unpleasant ones by your bullying behaviour.’
Rachel Hedworth, defending Thompson, said her client she was at the hostel as a result of domestic violence and was homeless, and addicted to drugs. She added she was ‘vulnerable and isolated’ and has limited contact with her children.