Home   Sheerness   News   Article

Violent drunk Jessica David sentenced to five years after bottling a stranger on a train from Sittingbourne to Sheerness

A violent woman who struck a father with a bottle on a train has been jailed for public protection after judge found she was a continuing danger.

Jessica David was sentenced to five years and will be on licence for a further two years. She will have to serve two thirds before she can be considered for parole.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 27-year-old alcoholic and drug user was travelling from Sittingbourne to Sheerness with her boyfriend Henry Ripley and two dogs.

Jessica David
Jessica David

David, of Broom Road, Murston, was drunk and swigging from a wine bottle. During the journey victim Liam Corneille’s two young children showed an interest in the dogs.

Prosecutor Tom Dunn said David encouraged the children to go over to the pets, but Mr Corneille and his partner were not happy about them doing so.

David then became abusive, calling Mr Corneille a “------- dick”. He asked her to stop because she was upsetting the children.

“She went over to where the victim was standing and started slapping him,” said Mr Dunn. “She also tried to headbutt him.

“As the train was arriving in Sheerness she struck him with the wine bottle she was holding in a sharp, jabbing motion.

“The end of the bottle connected with Mr Corneille’s eye. It caused a nasty wound to his face.”

Adan stabbed the man on a train. Stock picture
Adan stabbed the man on a train. Stock picture

As David and Mr Ripley got off the train she shouted gleefully: “That was us. We did that. I ------- bottled him.” He told her: “Yeah, but it was all on camera.”

They then had a fight, injuring each other. They were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm but not charged.

David, previously of High Street, Sheerness, admitted wounding with intent.

Mr Dunn said David had 37 previous convictions for 77 offences. She was given 18 months youth custody in 2009 for actual bodily harm and 21 months jail in 2012 for wounding.

David had led a life of “despair and misery” and been physically abused by her boyfriend Henry Ripley, said he lawyer Adrian Rohard.

“The relationship is known to the police,” he said. “They fear she will end up dead if she continues in the relationship.”

The boy was locked up for sexual abuse
The boy was locked up for sexual abuse

Mr Ripley had used the same wine bottle “in broken form” on her after the attack on Mr Corneille, but she did not want to take any action.

David had suffered black eyes and a fractured cheekbone but tried to avoid going to hospital for treatment.

“She has found it incredibly difficult to leave because he is all she has,” said Mr Rohard.

"She was in prison when her father died. She lost her brother in a motorcycle accident.

“She lost her sister through drug misuse. She passed away in a cubicle of a hospital while she was there.”

David had been drinking since the age of 13 and using drugs since she was 18. She had tried to take her life by overdosing. She wanted to train as a domestic violence worker.

“She is taking medicine for her bipolar,” added Mr Rohard. “When not taking drugs or alcohol she presents as an intelligent woman.”

Recorder Matthew McDonagh said although the bottle did not smash, Mr Corneille was left with a gaping wound.

There was a statement from the victim setting out the impact on him and his children from the “gratuitous attack”.

“It is clear you act violently when under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” he said. “A lengthy sentence of imprisonment is inevitable.”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More