Edith Jane Lightning, 68, sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for assaulting 72-year-old neighbour in Aitkenvale

An elderly woman had to be pulled off her 72-year-old neighbour during an attack, with a court being told a ‘third party’ was at the root of the flare up.

Edith Jane Lightning, 68, was sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for punching her 72-yr-old neighbour repeatedly.

A woman who discovered she was dating the same man as her elderly neighbour has appeared in court for launching an attack on the other woman while in the driveway, a court was told.

The 68-year-old woman, Edith Jane Lightning, appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday as she approached the bench using her walker frame.

Police prosecutor Emily Olditch said on June 8 the victim, a 72-year-old Aitkenvale woman, was walking outside her home when she noticed Lightning’s daughter was parked in her driveway.

Ms Olditch said the daughter started verbally abusing the woman unprovoked.

“She turned to walk back inside feeling fearful when she was approached by (Lightning),” the prosecutor explained.

The woman started punching her neighbour in the face, head and shoulder causing bruising to the body.

“(Lightning) was restrained by her son, (the victim) retreated inside and called police,” Ms Olditch said.

Lightning’s son and daughter are not accused of any wrongdoing.

“She does have a criminal history that dates back to 1975, she has no previous entries of violence it’s perhaps more indicative of someone who had issues with substance abuse.”

Defence lawyer Mikaila Ward told the court that while there was no excuse for the offending, she was able to provide context to the matter.

“There has been some ongoing issues recently because the victim and my client have worked out they were seeing the same man and that has caused some animosity between the two of them,” Ms Ward said.

She also said her client had found used syringes in her garden bed she had suspected was from the neighbour and was concerned due to having family members visit.

Ms Ward also explained her client was the victim of a hit and run in 1997 which has caused her some physical challenges.

Magistrate Steven Mosch touched on some of the “unusual” factors of the offending when delivering a sentence.

“I’m told there has been ongoing issues perhaps as a consequence of a third party involving himself with you and your neighbour,” he said.

“It’s an unusual set of circumstances considering you’re 68 and your neighbour is 72 and I can see you’re here in court using a mobility device but it seems you were able to engage physically and deliver a number of punches.”

He said that he would generally look at a term of imprisonment however considering the woman’s age and “limited” injury he would impose a different penalty.

Lightning pleaded guilty to serious assault of someone over 60.

She was fined $1000.

Originally published as Edith Jane Lightning, 68, sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for assaulting 72-year-old neighbour in Aitkenvale