A COUSIN of tragic prostitute Annette Nicholls has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after launching a “savage” attack on a man.Hayley Nicholls, of Canterbury Close, Ipswich, repeatedly punched Martin Abbott, her sister's boyfriend, during the attack in July last year, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

A COUSIN of tragic prostitute Annette Nicholls has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after launching a “savage” attack on a man.

Hayley Nicholls, of Canterbury Close, Ipswich, repeatedly punched Martin Abbott, her sister's boyfriend, during the attack in July last year, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

When he fell to the floor unconscious, the defendant kicked him in the head.

Nicholls, 35, who admitted a single charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, was yesterday given a 12-month suspended prison sentence. If she re-offends within the next 18 months she will go to prison.

Nicholls was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim and to attend an anger management programme.

The court heard that Mr Abbott had received a telephone call from Nicholls on the day in question in which she had shouted abuse.

Andrew Shaw, prosecuting, said Mr Abbott had hung up on the defendant twice. Shortly afterwards, he had heard shouting at the bottom of the back garden.

“This defendant was standing in an alleyway located at the rear of the garden,” he said.

“She approached Mr Abbott and punched him four or five times in the head with clenched-like fists.

“He held her wrists to try and calm her down. She punched him again, this punch knocking him on the ground.”

Mr Shaw said the defendant was seen kicking Mr Abbott in the head while he lay on the floor.

The court heard Nicholls had previous convictions for assault, battery and an offence of affray, in which she held a pistol to a cashier in the Shell garage in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.

Nicholas Cotter, representing Nicholls, said his client had since built bridges with her family, including Mr Abbott.

“She is disgusted by her behaviour on that day. She has recognised what she is, which is a nasty drunk. She is the first to admit that.”

Sentencing Nicholls, Judge David Goodin said: “I don't know if at 35 you feel old or not. But you have managed at that age to become a violent, frightening drunk.

“It was savage and unprovoked. It was a wicked attack on someone who was not expecting it.”

In addition to the suspended sentence, the judge imposed a supervisory order on Nicholls which will run for 18 months.