Women jailed for 'merciless beating'

Four south Taranaki women have been jailed for the "merciless beating" of a teacher in her home.

Kelly Marie Anderson, 26, Stacey Deborah Anderson, 28, Nicole Tracey Anderson, 20 and Lyn Smith, 18, admitted injuring the teacher with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm in Normanby, 7km north of Hawera, in the early hours of April 11, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

The fight was a continuation of an earlier argument at a Hawera bar.

At New Plymouth District Court yesterday, the women were sentenced to between 2 1/2 years and two years eight months' jail.

They planned to appeal their sentences.

Judge John MacDonald said was difficult to find mitigating factors for the "merciless beating", but acknowledged that the women had pleaded guilty, apologised and offered to pay the victim $5000.

Police said all four women were intent on retribution after a bar fight between the victim and Kelly Anderson.

The drove to the victim's home about 4am, forced their way in and began punching and kicking her around the head and body.

Her head was also repeatedly slammed into the floor.

She suffered bleeding kidneys, a swollen jaw, black eyes, a bald spot on her head, and has ongoing physical and emotional difficulties.

- NZPA