Woman sentenced for spitting at her victim as row erupted in Market Drayton supermarket car park

Cassandra Jasmine Spooner pleaded guilty to assault by beating when she appeared at Telford Magistrates Court on Tuesday following the incident in an Asda car park in Market Drayton on April 28, 2024.

Prosecutor Kate Price said the Spooner's victim had seen the 31-year-old approach her car at about 2.12pm 'looking angry'.

The row continued and Spooner, of Hawthorn Way, Market Drayton, spat at the other woman through a gap in the car window which had been wound down.

Ms Price said the row erupted after Spooner had seen the other woman driving erratically and tailgating her.

Spooner had she had been upset because she had children in her car and is a protective mother.

Kate Cooper, defending, said Spooner had made a full and frank admission and knew her victim because she used to be her driving instructor. She had changed her instructor.

“She is very, very protective of her children which is why she got angry,” said Miss Cooper.

'Built up over the years'

The court agreed to make a derogatory assertion order which prevents the publication of derogatory or defamatory statements made in court about the victim in the defendant's defence.

Miss Cooper added that the disagreement between the two women had 'built up over the years.'

The magistrates told Spooner, who has no previous convictions, that her action had not been pleasant and she replied: “I agree.”

Magistrates handed down a 12 month conditional discharge and told Spooner that they do not expect to see her back before them, warning her to stay out of trouble.

She was also told to pay a victims surcharge of £26 and prosecution costs of £85.

The bench decided not to order Spooner to pay her victim compensation because risks making the situation worse.