10-08-2025
Woman who attacked three strangers reacts furiously to being jailed
A WOMAN reacted furiously as magistrates jailed her for a series of violent street attacks on strangers in Carlisle.
Lisa Nunn, 45, whose angry outburst from the dock included her using a racist slur, had just been handed a four-month jail term after magistrates heard about her drink-fuelled violence on November 15 last year.
Prosecutor Diane Jackson outlined the offending during a hearing at the city's Rickergate court.
The defendant was in Denton Street, Carlisle, at 4.45pm when witnesses noticed her pacing up and down the pavement, clearly intoxicated.
A short time later, a man who walking home from work, found that his way was blocked by Nunn, who stood in front of him and grabbed his throat.
'He stepped back to get her off him, asking what she was doing,' said Mrs Jackson. 'He couldn't make out anything she was saying.'
As the man again tried to walk past Nunn, she punched him on the jaw. He suffered immediate pain and again pushed her away. At one point, he heard her say she wanted to murder him.
The second victim was a woman, also walking to her home. Noticing that Nunn was on the pavement, near to Robert Ferguson School, the woman at first thought she was injured and approached to offer help.
But Nunn grabbed her by the legs. Realising that the defendant was drunk, the woman manged to pull away, but Nunn followed her. She grabbed the woman, and became aggressive, putting her in a headlock.
The woman shouted for help as her partner arrived, and he desperately tried to pull Nunn off the woman. After the incident, the woman said she had always felt safe in Carlisle but she now no longer does.
Nunn also attacked the third victim without warning for no reason. She slapped him in the face three times and then spat at him. 'Luckily, the injuries sustained [by the three victims] were minor,' said Mrs Jackson.
Nunn admitted three assaults by beating and two thefts, as well as using racially aggravated threatening behaviour.
The court heard that she has 'numerous' previous convictions.
Read more: Carlisle shoplifter with troubled history said she 'lost everything'
Katie Scattergood, defending, said Nunn had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder and has complex mental health needs.
The lawyer remarked on the change in Nunn's behaviour.
'She is taking steps to address the underlying issues behind her offending,' said Miss Scattergood. 'She still does use illegal substances, but this has dramatically reduced. She has also expressed remorse.'
Magistrates told Nunn, of Hammond Close, Carlisle she would be jailed and must pay compensation of £100 to each of her victims.
She reacted angrily, saying she had been in injured during the street incident in November and, as she was being led away from the dock, Nunn turned and swore, yelling a racist insult at a magistrate.
It is not yet clear what action will be taken about Nunn's behaviour in court. The lead magistrate said he hoped the Nunn gets the help she needs.
