Woman could be jailed after admitting three charges of slapping and spitting in her grandmother's face

The elderly woman, described as being “vulnerable”, said she could no longer live in a “state of fear” at Shannon Bryan, 23.

Magistrates in South Tyneside heard Bryan, spat in her relative’s face on Friday, January 3.

The woman then confided to police about two other assaults by Bryan when they attended her Sunderland home.

They were told that on Friday, December 20, Bryan spat at her while they were in Sunderland city centre but missed – and tried to hurt her with a suitcase.

And on Monday, December 30, she slapped her grandmother while again at her home.

In a victim statement read by prosecutor Ben Woodward, the woman said: “I can’t live like this, this state of fear from my own granddaughter, or the day when it might all end.

“It shouldn’t be the case when a grandmother has to report her own granddaughter to police to stay safe.”

Bryan, of Churchill Square, Durham, admitted three charges of assault by beating and magistrates ordered an all-options report into her offending, meaning she could be jailed when sentenced later.

Mr Woodward added: “Prior to January of this year, the defendant had stayed with her grandmother, on and off, for around a year.

“On January 3 the grandmother was at home. She describes herself as scared of her granddaughter.

“She had been subject to verbal abuse. She is a vulnerable person and hasn’t dared speak out before.

“The defendant was verbally abusive and followed her grandmother into her bedroom.

“She brought up phlegm and spurted it into her grandmother’s face.”

Mr Woodward added: “On December 20 they were in Sunderland and she spat her grandmother three times but missed and tried to run her over with a suitcase.

“On December 30 she slapped her face, leaving her with bruising.”

Chris Wilson, defending, said: “The defendant has learning difficulties and mental health issues.

"There were issues with drugs and alcohol which will have to be addressed in the report.”

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports to the same court on Tuesday, October 6, and Bryan was granted unconditional bail.

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