Violent woman's shock admission

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Violent woman's shock admission

Hans J Marter9 December, 2006A SHETLAND woman with the potentially deadly Hepatitis C virus faces a lengthy time in prison after pleading guilty to several serious assault charges, including spitting at a GP and a police officer knowing she was infected.On the third day of a jury trial at Lerwick Sheriff Court yesterday (Friday), Fiona Manson, described as a prisoner at Cornton Vale woman's prison, unexpectedly changed her plea to guilty.Sheriff Graeme Napier deferred sentence on her until 20 December for social reports and a risk assessment. She was kept in custody and led away from court in hand cuffs.Manson, 34, was on a supervised release order when she committed the assaults on 18 July and 19 August this year. She was released from jail on 28 April this year after serving half of a 14 month sentence for another assault.Manson was defending herself, but did not cross examine any of the crown witnesses heard on Wednesday and Thursday.Yesterday, after the jury was sent away to come up with its verdict, Manson changed her plea to guilty to five charges of assault and one of breach of the peace.Earlier yesterday the court heard from Lerwick Health Centre practice manager Sutherland how a "very agitated" Dr Russon had asked her to phone the police after Manson had spat at him.Mrs Sutherland described Dr Russon as a "very quiet individual" who was "completely not himself" when he entered the reception area. She said it was obvious that something very distressing had happened to himWhen giving evidence himself on Wednesday this week, Dr Russon had described to the court how Manson had become angry and abusive when he had refused to sign a sick line. She had leaned over, pursed her lips and spat on his face and head, on 18 July, he said.The same day the court heard evidence from another witness, Jill Newman, who was assaulted by Manson to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement, on 19 August.On Thursday, police officers gave evidence how they were called to Ms Newman's house, how they had to struggle with Manson in order to arrest her, and how they were assaulted and spat at by Manson in the process.Yesterday, after hearing the crown's evidence, Sheriff Graeme Napier asked Manson whether she wanted to make any submission to the court suggesting that there was no case to answer. Manson only replied: "I plead guilty to all charges".Sheriff Napier told her that he needed time to consider how to deal with the remaining seven months of her previous jail sentence, and added: "You will have to expect another lengthy custodial sentence."

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