Violent wedding brawl erupts after family fallout over 'stolen cash'

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A guest abandoned the children she was supposed to be looking after and grappled violently with another family member during a wedding reception.

Chelsea O'Rourke, 26, spent a night behind bars after lashing out at Emma Quinn and injuring her after being accused of stealing money during the evening event.

O'Rourke was found staggering around outside the social club when police arrived, having left the two young children she was in charge of inside and under no-one's care.

She was fined £450 at Perth Sheriff Court after she admitted injuring Ms Quinn at the Civil Service Club in Perth shortly after midnight on 4 August this year.

O'Rourke, from Perth, admitted engaging in a struggle with Ms Quinn, seizing her hair and pulling her by it to her injury. She also admitted being drunk in charge of children aged eight and three.

Fiscal depute Stephanie Paterson told the court: "The accused and others were guests at a wedding.

"It was noted that the accused became drunk and caused a scene - engaging in a heated argument with Ms Quinn. A physical altercation occurred between Ms Quinn and the accused, whereby she pulled Ms Quinn's hair.

"Numerous other people had to get involved to try and separate them. Police were contacted for assistance. The accused was traced outside and identified as the person responsible for the hair pulling.

"She was heavily intoxicated and slurring her words. She was unsteady on her feet. She had two children with her at the wedding. They were left in the locus when she left and during the altercation.

"It was discovered that the accused was the sole carer for the children whilst in attendance at the wedding. Numerous guests were spoken to and made it clear they did not have responsibility for the children.

"Ms Quinn was traced and she had a cut to the side of her head. It was minor in nature and she declined medical attention." The children were looked after overnight by another wedding guest.

O'Rourke spent the night in custody and was released in the morning after she sobered up. She made no comment when she was cautioned and charged.

Solicitor Alan Davie, defending, said: "It was a family wedding - her extended family. It's fair to say she consumed alcohol to excess. She accepts responsibility.

"She really should have considered her consumption of alcohol prior to getting into the state she got into. What happened was a discussion between the complainer and Ms O'Rourke in which she was accused of stealing money.

"It was denied and an argument developed and it turned into the struggle or fight which has been described. She accepts she pulled her hair.

"She should not have acted in the way she did, not least because it was a terrible example to set to the children in the room. It is to be hoped there will be no repetition of this type of behaviour."

He said Ms Quinn had accepted in her statement to the police that she had also been pulling her rival's hair as they brawled at the reception.

Sheriff William Wood said: "She has got to 26 without coming to the attention of the courts. She has been able to exercise some restraint to this point.

"This seems to have been quite an unpleasant incident. When you are responsible for children you need to be there."

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