Crack cocaine user jailed after slashing woman so deep it exposed her facial muscle
Last updated 16th Jun 2025
A crack cocaine user slashed a woman across the face so deep that the cut exposed her facial muscle, a court in the Scottish Borders has been told.
Claire Condie, previously of Hawick, assaulted her victim with a blade at an address in the town's Queen's Drive in the early hours of January 24th.
The 36-year-old's solicitor, Mat Patrick - who described it as a "very grave matter" - said she had gone there to consume drugs but could not recall what had happened to provoke her.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard Condie pulled the Stanley-type blade from her tracksuit after being asked to leave the woman's house.
As well as slashing her victim across the face, she attempted to stab her in the chest seven or eight times.
The court heard the woman managed to get Condie in a headlock, but she continued to attempt to strike her - all the time not saying a word.
A neighbour heard screaming and raised the alarm.
As well as suffering a three-to-four inch scar, from her temple to her cheek bone, Condie's victim also required treatment for a two-inch cut to the back of her head and a four-inch cut to her right shin - which required ten stitches.
Condie pled guilty to a charge of assault by struggling with the woman, pushing her on the body, repeatedly striking her on the head and body; and striking her on the face to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
She was jailed for 20 months when she appeared from custody today (Monday).
Sheriff Peter Paterson backdated the sentence to January 27th, when Condie was first taken into custody.
He also imposed a three-year non-harassment order, preventing her from contacting the woman.
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