Sisters insist ‘we’re not scumbags’ after hurling vile homophobic abuse and threatening man with hammer
THREE sisters who walked out of court after calling a man “queer” and “f****t” have insisted they aren’t homophobic.
Leanne, Louise and Samantha Whelan launched the foul-mouthed assault on Peter Taylor, a family friend, during a furious and bitter feud in Wirral, Merseyside.
The three single mums walked free from Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday after Judge Gary Woodhall said jail would cause “significant harm” to their children.
Today, the sisters insist they aren’t “scumbags” and they are also victims of the ugly dispute.
Pregnant Leanne, 32, swung a hammer at Mr Taylor and missed his upper body before her sisters Louise, 29, and Samantha, 33, joined in launching homophobic abuse at him.
The sisters claimed to have alibis before admitting threatening behaviour ahead of a trial.
They pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of threatening behaviour and Leanne admitted she possessed the hammer.
The trio where seen laughing outside court on Wednesday and have said they’ve also received abuse.
Louise told the Liverpool Echo: “We’re now on gay pride websites for being homophobic.
“We never laughed leaving court; we laughed on our dinner break. We’re allowed to laugh.”
‘NOT SCUMBAGS’
Lousie also said they were approached about being on a TV documentary by a man and they laughed at him – not being spared jail.
She further claimed Leanne only raised the hammer to scare Mr Taylor.
Prosecutors said there was a dispute over a dog between the sisters and the paternal grandmother of Samantha’s children, Deborah McKenna.
They said Ms McKenna and her son Thomas Carson reported their concerns about the welfare of the children to social services, but no action was taken.
Paul Becker, prosecuting, said the dispute later involved Katie Cunningham, Mr Carson’s girlfriend, and Mr Taylor.
He added all parties on both sides were warned about their behaviour by a housing association last August.
The wicked sisters said they were driving to their mum’s when they saw Ms Cunningham outside Mr Taylor’s house.
Prosecutors accept it was a “chance encounter”, but the trio got out of a silver Mercedes and were heard shouting “come on let’s go”.
We’re now on gay pride websites for being homophobic
Lousie Whelan
Ms Cunningham fled into the house and Mr Taylor came from the back garden to investigate what the shouting was about.
Mr Becker said the sisters were shouting at Ms Cunningham and Ms McKenna to come out of the house, but Mr Taylor stepped in and told them to calm down.
He said: “Samantha Whelan was abusive and said ‘f*** off, we don’t want you.'”
In what was described as “chaotic scenes”, Leanne tried to swing the hammer at Mr Taylor as he stood his ground.
Mr Becker said: “Leanne Whelan was seen to be bouncing towards Mr Taylor, threatening and generally acting aggressively. Mr Taylor was shocked and scared.”
He added Mr Taylor backed off and the sisters walked away while “all shouting homophobic comments about Mr Taylor”.
Judge Woodhall handed Leanne was nine months in jail, and Louise and Samantha nine weeks in jail, all suspended for 15 months.
The judge further handed all three sisters three-month home curfews, from 8pm to 6am daily, plus 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirements.
A five-year restraining order was also imposed to protect Mr Taylor and Ms McKenna.
Leanne’s past convictions a, while Samantha has assaulted a police officer, committed battery and shoplifted.
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Leanne has five previous convictions for 10 offences, including assaulting a police officer and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Samantha has three previous convictions for assaulting a police officer, battery and shoplifting.
Louise has 12 previous convictions for 19 offences, including racially aggravated harassment against a supermarket security guard and shoplifting.
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