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Sellindge woman Georgina Kendall, who was recorded verbally abusing a young child, has appeared at Canterbury Crown Court

00:00, 10 December 2014

updated: 11:20, 10 December 2014

A 10-minute recording of a sobbing child being harangued by a furious Sellindge woman sent a shock wave through a court this week.

It was made by the terrified youngster as she endured vitriolic abuse during a petty argument.

Barristers and court staff looked stunned as it was played in Court Four in Canterbury Crown Court.

Medway's services for vulnerable children 'require improvement'. Stock image, posed by model
Medway's services for vulnerable children 'require improvement'. Stock image, posed by model

In the public gallery, the victim’s mother wept as she heard her child’s desperate sobs and was comforted by a police officer.

And in the dock, shame-faced Georgina Kendall, 29, of Greenfields, sat with her head in her hands after telling a police officer she sounded like “an animal and a monster”.

Most of the vile four-letter filled recording, which was made on the child’s mobile telephone, is too graphic to be published.

“This was a prolonged verbal abuse and was, quite frankly, shocking... It was a sustained verbal onslaught which no person, let alone a child, should have to endure...” - Judge Simon James

But Kendall is heard to shout: “..I’ll f****** slap those f****** bare legs. Idiot. You f****** s***.”

And later: “One more, go on, f****** one more and I’ll f****** punch you.”

After sounds of thudding are heard, the victim’s desperate gasps are then caught on the recording as she struggles to catch her breath.

Kendall then shouts: “Go on, f*** off. I want to f****** beat the f*** out of you.”

Judge Simon James told her: “Whatever the provocation and whatever the background, this was a prolonged verbal abuse and was, quite frankly, shocking.

“This was not by any means a momentary loss of control. It was a sustained verbal onslaught which no person, let alone a child, should have to endure.”

The judge said that Kendall had been “so out of control” that following the “torrent of invective” she then struck out and slapped the child’s legs before threatening more serious violence.

He added: “Any parent hearing what I just listened to could not help but have sympathy for your victim. You have every reason to be truly ashamed about the way you acted.

“You have detailed your behaviour as sounding like an animal and a monster. These are your words, not mine, but I don’t disagree.”

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court
The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court

The attack happened when Kendall was pregnant and awaiting the birth of her third child and she later claimed she was under considerable pressure and emotional strain at the time.

Elise Jeremiah, defending, said that when police played the recording to her for the first time, it resulted in Kendall apologising five times for her behaviour.

“When that audio recording was put to her she immediately said that she sounded like an animal and a monster. She said: 'I can’t believe that. I am so sorry. That is awful. I am so sorry I scared her,'" she added.

Kendall was given a 12-month community order and told she would have to attend 14 “Women’s Group” sessions to help her address her offending behaviour.

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