“I know I did wrong”

A mother became so “conscious” about her appearance after having her two front teeth pulled by a neighbor that she ended the relationship. Charlie Smith was left embarrassed by her appearance following the attack on Lisa Bell, 39, Warrington Magistrates Court heard.

She told police she now “constantly” covered her mouth in public, only when shopping online, and feared what might happen to her. Bell, a mother of two, who lives three doors down from Miss Bell, arrived at her victim’s home before attacking in her living room.

The motive was unknown. While being questioned by police after the incident, Bell said: “I know I did wrong.”

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The court heard that Bell, whose children play in Miss Smith’s garden, attacked his victim at his home in Runcorn, Cheshire, on July 27 last year. Robert Earl, prosecuting, said: “She saw the victim in the living room and hit her. mouth, knocking out his two front teeth.

“Police attended the address and officers spoke to the accused outside. She replied: ‘I know I did wrong’, and when asked if she had injuries, she replied: ‘I broke the joints of his teeth.’ “She was questioned under caution and gave various excuses. “

In a statement to police, Miss Smith said she was having two implants made by an NHS dentist. She said: “Because of this crime I have suffered so much emotional and physical stress.

“I feel extremely conscious about my personal appearance. I cover my mouth constantly, I’m so aware that I’m missing my two front teeth. I don’t like meeting new people and I feel like people look at me differently.

Miss Smith said she did not hang around the school gates to avoid contact with other parents after the attack. She added: “I shop online to avoid having to go out.

“Since this incident, my anxiety has gotten even worse. I am taking medication which has been increased. I am also taking medication for panic attacks.

“I live close to Lisa, on the same street. I did not go out. I’m afraid I’ll meet her or something else will happen to me. I feel more anxious that something might happen and it affects my sleep.

“My partner at the time felt so self-conscious about my appearance that I ended the relationship. I feel intimidated. Even before I meet her, it makes me anxious to the point of having panic attacks.

“I tend to avoid going out. I don’t want to go back to college because of my physical appearance and lack of self-confidence. I stay at home most of the time.

Miss Smith said she preferred to speak on the phone with the school about her children rather than meet face to face. She added: “I make a lot of visits to the dentist in Knutsford and have to have a lot of treatments because they are doing two front teeth. Since I don’t drive I have to take taxis, I’m too embarrassed to take public transport and take the bus.

“I have to pay it myself, it’s £40 each time. I made eight trips. Processing is in progress. I feel extremely lucky that my treatment is paid for by the NHS. I couldn’t have afforded two new front teeth.

Bell, of Runcorn, had 12 previous offenses on his record, including assault, battery and intimidating a witness. Her lawyer, Peter Green, said: “The defendant faces a prison sentence, but she has two young children under the age of 18 and there is no one else to look after them.

“She is afraid of the prospect of being taken into immediate custody.” Magistrates ordered Bell to pay Miss Smith £1,500 compensation after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

She was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities. Bell was also given an 18-month banning order and had to pay a victim surcharge of £154.