Elderly seamstress scarred for life after sisters attack her over wedding dress

13 January 2024 , 10:49

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Julia Shelley (left) and her sister Jessica ( right ) attacked the couple following a row over a dress (Image: Liverpool Echo)

An elderly seamstress was left permanently scarred after two sisters attacked her and her husband over a row about a wedding dress.

Julia Shelley and her younger sibling Jessica stormed over to the couple's home in Merseyside, to confront Maureen Webb, 79, about the needlework on her bridal gown. The pensioner has been described as a "family friend."

Sarah Griffin, prosecuting, said the pair marched upstairs to Ms Webb's sewing room to question her about the alterations they asked her to make. But things spiralled out of control after Julia, 38, said she was unhappy with the amendments and tried to steal a bag of materials.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how a "struggle" ensued in which both the fiancée and the dressmaker took hold of a bag of materials. Jessica, 33, then grabbed both women.

Meanwhile, Mr Webb, who was said to be "vulnerable through and disability", entered after hearing the "commotion" and witnessed his partner falling to the floor. Mrs Webb was then pursued by Julia but her husband Robert intervened by taking hold of her wrist.

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The defendant reacted by "twisting free from his grip", causing the OAP to fall and hit his arm - scraping his skin away. She then snatched the bag of cloth from Mrs Webb, and both sisters left. Mr Webb was taken to hospital, where doctors initially feared that he may require a skin graft - although this surgery was not ultimately required.

Julia said she let wedding stress get the better of her (Liverpool Echo)

Jessica said she was trying to stop the commotion (Liverpool Echo)

The couple then called the police and Julia and her sister were subsequently arrested. Under interview, Julia denied any assault and said she "knew Mr Webb was frail and on dialysis". While she accepted taking the materials, she claimed they had been "provided free of charge".

When quizzed by detectives, Jessica "accepted grabbing Maureen's wrists". However, she stated that she had "done so to stop the matter escalating", reports Liverpool Echo. In a statement which was read to the court on her behalf, Ms Webb said she was left with pain in her hand which had a "major impact on her business". She said she has also suffered from nightmares and has woken up "shouting in the night".

Mr Webb's arm was said to have not fully yet healed, with his wounds still bleeding on occasions. Mrs Webb described her concern that her husband could have been "seriously hurt or killed". Her statement said: "I can't believe this has happened to me. It was so unnecessary. I think about what would have happened if I had lost him. I don't understand how they thought they could come into my home and do what they did, all for the sake of a piece of material."

Both sisters have no previous convictions. Kate Morley, appearing on behalf of Julia, said: "Ms Shelley is absolutely mortified that she has found herself in crown court. She wishes to state how terribly sorry she is. She wishes to convey her sincerest apology for the great distress and harm that she has caused. She has concluded that at a particularly stressful point in her life, she allowed her emotions to get the best of her. She is ashamed, embarrassed and shocked at how far her standards slipped."

Jessica, who was seen wiping tears away with a tissue in the dock, has since moved to Jersey, where she works in the "governmental system". Her defence counsel Nicola Daley told the court: "She would like me to reiterate her deep regret. She accepted what she had done when she was interviewed. She is extremely sorry for that. She is very unlikely to come back before the courts again. She has a good background. She is someone who is deeply regretful of her behaviour."

Julia admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault and theft. She was handed an 18-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £1,000 in compensation to Mr Webb plus £1,400 in court costs.

Jessica pleaded guilty to assault and was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £135. Both sisters, who sat holding hands throughout the hearing, were also handed restraining orders banning them from contacting Mr and Mrs Webb for five years.

Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: "You both have no previous convictions. More than that, I have read glowing testimonials of your general character. As a result, you have each lost your hitherto good character. I have no doubt that you are both thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed by your conduct on that day. It was, I am entirely satisfied, wholly out of character and I accept your sincere apologies. I am satisfied that you have shown appropriate remorse.

"As you well know Julia, Mr Webb is a man who has vulnerabilities and is not in the best of health. Your reckless actions caused him to fall, which shredded his arm - causing appalling injuries in the form of huge scrapes of skin being debrided from his arm. It was through luck rather than judgment that he was not more seriously injured. One can only imagine what his health would have been had he had to undergo surgery.

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"He has been left with permanent scarring to his arm, and it has not fully healed. No doubt to both Mr and Mrs Webb, this was a frightening incident in their own home, a place they should have both felt secure in."

Monica Charsley