A grandmother who had her head bashed in with a piece of wood full of nails has been left shocked and disappointed after her 14-year-old attacker walked free from court with only a £20 fine, that he won't pay until he is 18.
Fifty-two-year-old Wendy Feast suffered head injuries and broken bones after the attack that took place as she was on her way to work in Blackburn. She also needed to have plastic surgery after the assault.
Mrs Feast said: "I'm so angry, this sentence is disgusting. He should have been sent to prison. I can't believe he was able to walk free from court.
"I'm too afraid to go out. I frequently have panic attacks and I can't sleep unless I take medication. This attack has not only affected me, it has affected my whole family.
"It has ruined my life. I feel ugly because of the scars this has left on my face. And I no longer feel safe in my own home."
The attack happened in January as Mrs Feast was walking to her job in a local off-licence. While walking along the road the teenager struck her several times with the piece of wood, stole her mobile phone - as well as the keys to the shop - and left her for dead.
He then went on to burgle the shop.
Mrs Feast managed to struggle to somebody's door to alert them before collapsing. She was then taken to Royal Preston Hospital's trauma unit where she was treated for injuries to her head, face, and finger.
Her attacker - who can't be named for legal reasons -was ordered to perform 36 hours of unpaid work, as well as paying the victim surcharge of £20.
Mrs Feast's daughter Lindsey spoke of her anger at the sentence.
She said: "The sentence is disgusting - this person should be getting done for attempted murder.
"It sends out a message that people can just go and bash a woman's head in and get away with it - this is soft justice and the sentence is a real joke.
"She was bleeding and all you could see was blood everywhere. She was in a serious condition and they managed to stitch her up.
"Mum then had to have plastic surgery to the top of her forehead, top of her eyebrow and under her chin.
She continued: "She's been left traumatised by what happened - not just physically but also mentally.
"Mum suffers quite bad panic attacks as a result of what happened.
"She's had to come and stay with me, and myself and my partner had to come and stay with her when she did return home."
Lindsey now plans to continue to fight for a stronger penalty for the attacker.
She added: "It's not only had a big impact on my mum but also on the whole family - we will continue to fight for proper justice and a tougher sentence."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS