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Housewife, 51, battered woman and hurled protein shake at her after row at FLOWER-ARRANGING class
A 51-year-old housewife, Lorraine Jae, has admitted assaulting a fellow student at a floristry class in St Helens College after a row over coursework. Jae punched Tracey Musker and threw a protein shake at her, leaving the victim with bruises and a cut. She was ordered to pay £200 compensation plus fines and costs at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.
A housewife has admitted assaulting a fellow student during a floristry lesson at St Helens College in Merseyside. Lorraine Jae, 51, punched Tracey Musker and threw a protein shake at her after a row erupted over coursework, according to reports from the Daily Express and The Irish Sun.
The incident took place on December 11 last year when the pair were receiving feedback on their floristry diploma coursework. Jae, who had been studying the course for some time, became angry after her tutor criticised her work on a Christmas wreath. When Miss Musker tried to calm the situation, Jae allegedly told her to "shut the f* up" and, after further verbal abuse, ran at her and punched her in the face. As Miss Musker stood up, Jae picked up a full protein drink from her desk and threw it at her.
Miss Musker was left with bruises and a cut to her chin and a mark on her lip. She was given first aid at the scene but did not seek hospital treatment. Another student intervened as Jae, who was later suspended from the course, ran out of the classroom.
Court proceedings
Jae, from Leigh, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Liverpool Magistrates' Court last week. She was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to Miss Musker, plus £505 in fines and costs (reported as a £300 fine plus £205 in costs and a victim surcharge by the Daily Express). Her husband was in court to support her.
Prosecutor Tony Carey detailed the sequence of events in court, describing how Jae became involved in an argument with the course tutor before turning on Miss Musker.
In mitigation, Helen Clarke said the assault was a "heat of the moment" reaction. She stated that Jae had been studying the course for some time, had experienced problems along the way, but had persevered hoping to achieve a qualification as she was unable to continue other work she had been doing for many years. Clarke added that Jae was sorry and apologetic to Miss Musker.
Judge's remarks
Sentencing Jae, District Judge James Clarke told her: "This was a bad situation that went in the wrong direction. It is not a reflection of your personality."
The judge's comment acknowledged the out-of-character nature of the incident. Reports noted that Jae had no previous convictions and was waiting for a hip operation at the time.
How each outlet told it
Daily Express
Framing: The headline uses playful language ('chaos', 'bloom display') and focuses on the disruption to the class, but it omits the assault specifics (punch, drink) and the legal outcome. It emphasizes the incongruity of violence in a flower-arranging setting. — Sensational and slightly flippant, using puns ('blooming foul-mouthed row') but also includes the judge's sympathetic remark. A supporting quote: 'Her husband was in court to support her' adds a humanizing detail. Overall, the tone is more humorous than alarmed.
Facts Included:
Lorraine Jae, 51, punched and threw a drink over fellow student Tracey Musker during a floristry lesson.
The incident occurred at St Helens College in Merseyside after a tutor's criticism of Jae's coursework.
Other students watched on in shock as Jae told Miss Musker to 'shut the f..k' up when told to stop being 'childish'.
Miss Musker laughed off the abuse, and Jae ran at her, punched her in the face, threw a protein drink carton, and stormed out.
Miss Musker suffered bruises and a cut to her chin.
Last week, Jae admitted assault by beating and was ordered to pay £200 compensation.
She was also ordered to pay £505 in fines and costs.
Her husband was in court to support her.
District Judge James Clarke told her: 'This was a bad situation that went in the wrong direction. It is not a reflection of your personality.'
The incident occurred on December 11th when they were getting feedback on floristry diploma coursework thought to involve creating Christmas wreaths from holly, ivy, and pine cones.
Prosecutor Tony Carey detailed the sequence: argument with tutor, Miss Musker tried to calm, Jae told her 'Shut the f*** up', then later punched her and threw the drink.
Another student intervened and Jae ran out; she was suspended from the course.
Miss Musker was given first aid at the scene but did not seek hospital treatment.
Jae had no previous convictions and was waiting for a hip operation.
Her lawyer Helen Clarke said the argument was over disputed coursework and that Jae felt frustrated, describing it as a 'heat of the moment' reaction.
Clarke noted Jae had been studying the course for some time, had problems, and was persisting to achieve a qualification.
Framing: The headline emphasizes Jae's role as 'housewife' and the bizarre setting (flower-arranging class), highlighting the assault with vivid verbs ('battered', 'hurled'). It omits the plea and sentence. The headline is sensational and focuses on the contrast between a mundane hobby and violence. — Sensational and slightly mocking. The headline and opening use terms like 'battered' and the trivial backdrop, but the tone becomes more factual in the court detail. A supporting quote: 'a row erupted at a flower-arranging class' – the word 'erupted' adds dramatic color.
Facts Included:
Lorraine Jae, 51, punched fellow student Tracey Musker after her coursework was criticised by their tutor.
Jae hurled a protein shake at the victim and grabbed her coat during the lesson at St Helens College in Merseyside.
Tracey was left with bruises and a cut to her chin and a mark on her lip.
Jae pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was ordered to pay £200 in compensation.
She was fined £300 plus £205 in costs and a victim surcharge at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.
The attack took place on December 11 last year when the pair were getting feedback about their floristry diploma coursework.
Jae flew into a rage when she received criticism from the tutor about her Christmas wreath.
Tracey attempted to calm the situation but was told by Jae to “shut the f**k up”.
Tony Carey, prosecuting, described the incident: Jae ran over and punched Miss Musker in the face while she was sitting at her desk, then threw a protein drink at her when she stood up.
Another student intervened as Jae, who was later suspended from the course, ran out the classroom.
Helen Clarke, mitigating, said the assault was a “heat of the moment” reaction.
Clarke stated Jae had been studying the course for some time, had some problems, and was hoping to achieve a qualification as a new start.
Clarke said Jae was sorry and apologetic to Miss Musker.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimLorraine Jae, 51, punched fellow student Tracey Musker and threw a protein shake at her during a floristry class at St Helens College in Merseyside.
ClaimJae became involved in an argument with the course tutor, and when Tracey Musker attempted to calm the situation, Jae told her to 'shut the f*** up'.
ClaimHelen Clarke stated that Jae had been studying the course for some time, had some problems along the way, and was hoping to achieve a qualification as she was unable to continue other work she had been doing for many years.