Woman accused of assault by beating wishes magistrates 'Merry Christmas' in court

Victoria Biddle appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court and denied one count of assault by beating on Thursday, December 23.

Prosecutor Shafquat Reaz said police had recorded it as common assault, but clarified Biddle had been charged with assault by beating of alleged victim Cheyenne Moriarty.

The assault is alleged to have taken place on November 3 this year.

The prosecutor said the issues to be examined at a trial would be whether it had been a "pre-emptive" strike.

Mr Reaz said there was CCTV of the incident, which had been served by the crown. The prosecutor added the trial is expected to last two hours.

Paul Stanley, defending the 36-year-old, said Biddle had conditional bail and did not contest it.

Mr Reaz asked for bail conditions, for Biddle not to contact the alleged victim directly or indirectly, to continue.

A trial date was then set for an afternoon hearing at Worcester Magistrates Court, on February 21 next year.

Trevor Burgess, chairman of the magistrates bench, then asked Biddle, of Lowesmoor, Worcester, to stand.

"You have pleaded not guilty," he told Biddle.

"There will be a trial. The prosecution will put his case, your solicitor will put yours - it will be decided on that day.

"We are giving you conditional bail.

"Directly (direct contact with the alleged victim) means no writing to them, no phoning, no texting, no social media. "It even means you can't wave at them in the street.

"Indirectly means you can't ask someone to do that for you.

"There is another condition - you must turn up (for the trial).

"If you don't comply, if you break any of those conditions, you will be arrested, brought back to court, and might get custody until all this is finished - even if you are found innocent."

When told she was free to go Biddle said: "Have a nice Christmas and New Year."

In 2019 she made national headlines after shouting "thank you judgy", also at the end of a court hearing.