Mum and son sentenced for vicious attack

A MOTHER and son who carried out a "horrible" attack on a woman in her own home have been ordered to carry out 260 hours of community service.

Lisa Devlin, 38, and Dean Devlin, 19, repeatedly punched and kicked Sharon Johnstone on the head and body to the danger of her life.

At an earlier hearing, fiscal depute Gerard Drugan told Edinburgh Sheriff Court there had been an argument between Dean and Ms Johnstone's daughter earlier in the day. The Devlins then went round to Ms Johnstone's home at around 9pm.

Lisa Devlin first attacked Pearson Armstrong, Ms Johnstone's partner, hitting him on the face and attempting to gouge his eyes out.

Dean Devlin, then struck Mr Armstrong on the head with a can.

Ms Johnstone was left with a string of injuries, including cuts to her spleen – which could have proved fatal – multiple rib fractures, reduced air entry to her lung due to partial collapse and facial cuts and bruises.

Lisa Devlin, of Kirkgate House, Constitution Street, Edinburgh, and Dean Devlin, of Edinburgh Prison, admitted carrying out the attacks at Baillie Place, Edinburgh, on 24 July last year.

Sheriff Deidre MacNeill QC said yesterday it was a "horrible attack" and also placed Dean Devlin on probation for 18 months.