A nursery nurse who hit a couple with her car following a spat over the purchase of a kitten has been fined £550.
An argument erupted between Naomi Cunningham and Laura Cruickshank on October 16 last year, when it was claimed Cunningham had not coughed up the £70 agreed price for the feline.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard the 28-year-old had already loaded the pet into her car and was preparing to set off from Burnland Place, in the city when Miss Cruickshank approached to demand more cash.
Miss Cruickshank called her partner David Biggerstaff outside, and as Cunningham tried to escape the row, she hit the pair with her car before accelerating away. No serious injuries were sustained by either.
Fiscal depute Karen Dow told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At around 4.30pm the accused attended an address in Westhill to pay for a kitten. It appears they had a disagreement over the sale. The accused returned to her car but the argument continued.
“Witnesses described the accused revving her engine. She moved the vehicle forward, hitting one of the complainers in the shins, and then reversed, hitting the other with her car door. A witness said they saw her drive away at speed.”
Cunningham, of Marischal Gardens, Aberdeen pleaded guilty to careless driving.
Defence agent Chris Maitland said: “She and the complainer got in touch through Facebook. She visited the complainer a number of times so the kitten could get used to her and her 15-month-old daughter.
“After the sale, the complainer demanded a further £20, despite Miss Cunningham being sure she paid the £70. During this argument she offered the extra £20 to Miss Cruickshank, but she wouldn’t accept it, seemingly wanting the kitten and the money.
“The complainer called her partner to come outside. He came and puts his hands on the bonnet to try and stop Miss Cunningham leaving.
“She became frightened and tried to drive away. She didn’t realise she had hit either at the time. She sped away and went to her sisters because she was worried that she would be followed home.”
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin said it would be “disproportionate” to the crime for Cunningham to be banned from driving, so she fined her £550 and put seven points on her driving licence.
