Thug screams 'take your kids home' before knocking out innocent mum at pub

A violent thug has avoided prison for a "nasty and frightening" attack on an innocent mum. Chelsley Powell, 31, had been drinking in the Marston Green Tavern in Birmingham when she approached Lauren Dobbyn to complain about her dancing with her daughter.

Later that evening, she approached Ms Dobbyn again and called her 'disgusting' for having her children in the pub at close to midnight before punching her in the face and rendering her unconscious. Powell, who has a history of violence, admitted to the assault on the day she was due to go on trial, claiming that she was "frightened to death" of going to prison. Birmingham Crown Court heard that she was suffering with mental health conditions at the time of the attack, as she was handed a two-year community order with 20 days of rehabilitation activity.

The assault in April 2023 left the victim with a cut above her eye and extensive bruising after she was punched on her left cheek and sent sprawling to the floor between tables, leaving her face "pouring with blood."

Prosecutor Sabhia Pathan said: "The defendant was heard to say 'why you not f***ing taking your kids home?'

"The victim told her she was doing that. The defendant continues to say 'it's disgusting keeping your kids out this late'.

"A member of staff placed their arm between them. The defendant was getting confrontational and was the aggressor.

"At that point the victim responded by saying her children had nothing to do with the defendant.

"In an unprovoked manner the defendant punched the victim to her left cheek with significant force.

"She fell backwards between tables on the floor and was in shock and felt dizzy."

The victim later collapsed and fell unconscious.

Defending Powell, who has seven previous convictions for criminal damage, assault and attacking emergency workers, Chris Cook told the court how the defendant had been diagnosed with psychosis and emotionally unstable personality disorder.

He said: "The offence was committed at a time when her mental health difficulties were very acute and she was receiving inadequate support."

He added that Powell was disgusted by her behaviour and had since stopped consuming cocaine and alcohol.

Judge Roderick Henderson, passing sentence, said: "This was a nasty and frightening incident with long term consequences for Ms Dobbyn who was completely innocent when she was attacked by you in that pub.