Antonia Eastwood, 49, was handed a 10-month suspended sentence after she threw black paint over her sister-in-law Gemma Monk, 35, during her wedding ceremony in Maidstone, Kent
A woman has confessed she felt deeply ashamed of her spiteful behaviour after hurling black paint over her sister-in-law’s wedding gown during her special day, and has disclosed what terrified her most.
Antonia Eastwood, 49, shocked guests during the malicious assault on Gemma Monk, 35, at Oakwood House Register Office in Maidstone, Kent in May 2024. The perpetrator also revealed what frightened her most after executing the heartless deed, which resulted in her receiving a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
The shocking incident transformed the bride’s magical day into a catastrophe. Yet Gemma refused to let the episode defeat her and courageously continued with the ceremony, after switching into different attire, so she could complete her vows to childhood sweetheart, Kevin Monk.
Breaking her silence for the first time since her sentencing, Antonia admitted to the Daily Mail: “I feel ashamed of myself. It’s not me. I’ve never been in trouble with the police before. Ever.” She proceeded to disclose the one thing that’s been haunting her nights since the assault.
“I had a full-blown panic attack on the day I was sentenced. I was petrified I’d go to prison. It has all taken its toll,” she disclosed. According to Gemma’s brother Ashley, who is married to Antonia, the acrimonious dispute between the pair started at their wedding in 2023, when he alleged the latter “had her foot in the aisle as Toni walked past.”
That minor disagreement ignited a bitter feud, which led to the pair being excluded from Gemma’s wedding. Antonia, who resides in Manchester, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for two charges of criminal damage.
The court was told that the bill for repairs and “loss of revenue” at Oakwood House following the incident was at least £5,000, reports the Mirror.
Gemma’s victim impact statement outlined how the assault has tormented her ever since: “To have paint thrown over me by my brother’s wife changed my outlook on life and made me question whether I had done something really bad, whether I had done something wrong.
“Since the incident, if it wasn’t for my children or my family, I don’t think I would even get out of bed to care for myself. I have lost all my dignity and good habits in life. I have lost who I used to be.”
She explained that what was supposed to be the “most special day of my life” rapidly turned into the “worst memory” that neither she nor her family will ever forget. Speaking after her sister-in-law received the suspended sentence, Gemma revealed she wasn’t the only one who suffered the paint attack.
As she entered the cream-walled carpeted entrance hall at the venue with dad Jason, bridesmaids and flower girls, she heard her name being shouted. In an instant, from the corner of her eye, she spotted someone hurl black paint at her. “The paint got into my eyes and my hair. It also splashed onto my bridesmaids,” she said.
Meanwhile, prosecutor Pietro Matarazzo informed the court: “Her wedding dress turned black. It was splattered with paint, as were her eyes, face, and skin.”