A MUM who was battered at a school gates by a rival parent has broken her silence on the ordeal. Jessica Kitching, 25, was collecting her daughter from school when she launched the savage attack on Charlene Harkin - known as Charlie. Kitching pulled the 37-year-old to the ground by her ponytail and knelt on her chest in front of horrified school kids. The thug then repeatedly kicked the mother-of-three in the face as she begged her to stop, Lancs Live reports.
![[Close-up portrait of Charlene Harkin.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/vicious-attack-mum-battered-school-971587943.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
As Kitching was dragged away by a pal, she yelled out: "I know where you live. I'll f***ing kill you.". Charlie described how traumatic the vicious attack had been for her family. She told MailOnline: "This has been a complete trauma for all of us. "I have had to pull my three kids out of that school because I never felt we were safe. "I have had to take six months off work.". The pair's two children were friends but had fallen out during the holidays.
![[Woman in leopard print dress holding a red clutch.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/jessica-kitching-971360944.jpg?strip=all&w=340)
Kitching pleaded guilty to assault occasioning ABH but was spared jail as her daughter would suffer. She was instead handed a 30 week sentence, suspended for 12 months. Preston Crown Court was told the horror attack unfolded in Lancaster in September 2023. Charlie was taken to hospital with grazes and bruises to her face and a suspected hairline fracture on her nose. In a statement, she said she was embarrassed and humiliated to have been attacked on the school run in front of other parents and children.
![[Charlene Harkin in a pink and orange sheer top.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/vicious-attack-mum-battered-school-971588006.jpg?strip=all&w=769)
The mum told the court she considered changing her child's school as a result and was also left terrified that Kitching would come to her home. Since the attack the children have played out together and there have been no further incidents, she added. The court heard Kitching, who has no previous convictions, was ashamed of her vile actions. As well as a suspended sentence, she was ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activities and complete 60 hours of unpaid work.
![[Woman with long blonde hair wearing a black tank top.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/jessica-kitching-971360938.jpg?strip=all&w=289)
