Attacker who beat up 60-year-old Murdoch-Eaton on Scott Street pleads guilty

NEWCASTLE CBD – It has been seven long months in and out of court, fighting tireless battles and constant praying, because her attacker has pleaded guilty.

Finally, 60-year-old Lorna Murdoch-Eaton can breathe a sigh of relief after the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court found her perpetrator guilty of assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm, on Wednesday, May 17.

In November 2016, the Newcastle Advertiser reported the elderly woman was brutally attacked while on her way to the bank in Scott Street in the CBD, when a heated argument over a parking space turned violent.

“All I remember is he just kept on punching me. He would not stop punching me. I then fell to the ground, and as I tried to pick myself up, he started punching me again, and nobody was helping me. People were just standing there watching this man beat me up,”

Murdoch-Eaton recalled having constant nightmares, and on more than one occasion felt like giving up on the police as she thought justice would never be served to the man who tore her life apart in just a few minutes.

Finally, her prayers were answered.

“He pleaded guilty!” exclaimed a relieved Murdoch-Eaton.

She claimed during the court case it was revealed the suspect had similar previous convictions.

However, they were not considered as aggravating circumstances as it had no bearing on her case. She said her assaulter was fined R10 000, R6 000 of which was suspended for three years.

“He was ordered to pay me R4 000 immediately, and he is not allowed to possess a firearm or firearm licence for the next three years.”

News of the ruling quickly broke on social media, and residents voiced their relief and support of Murdoch-Eaton.

Apart from the criminal court case, she also filed a civil case against her attacker.

Considering the emotional trauma she has had to endure over the last few months, she is thankful the ordeal can finally be put behind her.

“Thank you to everyone who supported me from the day I was assaulted until the final court ruling,” she said.

Must read stories on the site:

• Elderly woman assaulted in heated parking bay dispute
• Assault victim still seeks answers
• ‘What he did to me, I won’t forget’ – Lorna Murdoch-Eaton
• CBD robber wanted by police

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