Mum laughs as she dodges jail after 'taking law into own hands' in assault (2025)

Hollie Weston ominously told officers the injuries she caused to Alfie Broadfield-Mellor "could have been worse".

A mum was spotted laughing as she left court after dodging jail for a brutal assault on a man. Hollie Weston said she "took the law into her own hands" after finding a disturbing social media video on his phone.

The 26-year-old told police she had punched Alfie Broadfield-Mellor, but added "it could have been worse". Her victim was discovered by officers in her bathroom, covered in blood and bruises after what was said to be a "lengthy and extensive assault".

Broadfield-Mellor had further injuries that could not have just come from being punched, but he didn't give any evidence to either the police or the prosecution in court. A judge branded the case as "deeply unusual".

On Tuesday, April 15, Liverpool Crown Court heard that Broadfield-Mellor had been staying at Weston's home in Bromborough, Merseyside. Derek Jones, prosecuting, told the court that he was either "a friend or a family friend" but the pair were not romantically involved.

In the early hours of November 9, 2023, Weston found videos on his Snapchat account that she found incredibly distressing. At around 7am, police received a call from a neighbour who said they had heard a woman screaming "please help, please help", the Mirror reports.

Officers attending the property found Broadfield-Mellor in the bathroom, where it was clear he had been the victim of a serious assault. He had sustained injuries to his hand and back, as well as several marks on his face.

Mr Jones said that Broadfield-Mellor also had bite marks on his skin, and someone had "applied white paint" on his face using a brush. When the police arrived, "four or five" individuals were present at the scene.

Weston confessed to hitting him during questioning, but claimed "what he did was worse". The prosecution could not pinpoint the exact timeline of events leading up to Broadfield-Mellor's injuries. Without a statement from him, and no other related charges made, there was an "absence of evidence" in the case.

She initially faced a section 18 wounding charge, but later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm during her plea and trial preparation hearing. The court acknowledged the fact she had no previous convictions.

John Weate, defending, pointed out that his client's life was unstable at the time of the offence, marked by excessive drug and alcohol use. Following the assault, she lost her home but has since found new accommodation.

The court was told that she has young children who can now visit her without supervision. Weston, who has been noted to have a positive relationship with the children's father, had also paused her job search until the court case was finished.

Mr Weate argued for full credit for her cooperation since the original charges were made.

During sentencing, Recorder Richard Pratt KC commented: "You were very understandably distressed by what you saw. That does not excuse you from what followed."

He acknowledged the emotional trigger for her outburst, but criticised the violence that followed. He branded the affair as a "brutal and sustained assault" while also noting: "The injury you caused was not one that represents the final injuries."

Weston received a 12-month community order and is required to complete 25 days of rehabilitation. In his concluding remarks, Recorder Pratt cautioned, "The sentence is very specific to the circumstances. The court will never approve of people who take the law into their own hands."

After receiving her sentence, Weston expressed gratitude towards the judge and was seen laughing and celebrating with two companions as she left the courtroom.