When Chesney Brown was caught shoplifting in The Kabin by Rita Sullivan in January 2004, she gave him a quick clip round the ear. He then tried to make a quick getaway and banged his head in the attempt. Rapacious mother Cilla Brown saw this as an opportunity to make some money from Rita by claiming compensation for the "injuries" her son had endured following this assault.
After being reported to the police, who subsequently charged her with assault causing actual bodily harm on a minor, Rita appeared at Weatherfield Magistrates Court the following month. Her solicitor Leah Mirrelson warned her that the judgement would in all probability not be based on evidence itself but on who the judge believed to be the more credible witness. She also reminded Rita to stay calm at all costs and not allow herself to be riled. Unfortunately Rita forgot this advice when questioned by prosecutor Jordanna James while Chesney, well-rehearsed by Cilla, and his mother were calm and considered in their responses.
When the judgement was given, Rita was told she had to pay five hundred pounds compensation to Chesney, at which point she lost her temper and told the Magistrate and his two colleagues on the bench just what she thought of them. Norris also shouted his opinion from the gallery at which the two were charged with contempt of court. Leah advised them to both apologise. Norris did so at Rita's bidding and was set free but she gave the magistrates another dose of her vitriol and was kept in the cells overnight. The next day Rita did apologise, unable to spend another night like the previous one.