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Bride Drenched in Paint on Wedding Day
17 Apr
Summary
- Sister-in-law threw black paint at bride before wedding.
- The damaged wedding dress could not be cleaned.
- Attacker received a suspended jail sentence and compensation.
A bride's dream wedding in Maidstone was shattered when her sister-in-law, Antonia Eastwood, hurled black paint at her moments before the ceremony on May 24, 2024. Gemma Monk, the bride, was covered in paint, and her expensive wedding dress was ruined, never to be passed down to her daughter. Eastwood, who was not invited due to an ongoing feud, fled the scene.
The attack occurred at Oakwood House Register Office, causing significant damage estimated to exceed £5,000, including repairs and loss of revenue. Gemma Monk managed to proceed with her wedding after changing dresses, but the emotional toll has been severe, leading to depression and an inability to work.
Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court, Eastwood, 49, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. She received a 10-month jail term, suspended for 12 months, along with 160 hours of unpaid work. Eastwood was also ordered to pay £4,000 to her sister-in-law and £1,000 to the venue, plus a 10-year restraining order.
