Payback for woman who assaulted barmaid

A woman who smashed a glass over a barmaid’s head has avoided being sent to jail.

Alyson Petra McKinven, 28, of 1 St John Terrace, St John Street, Campbeltown, appeared at Campbeltown Sheriff Court for sentencing last Thursday, having previously pleaded guilty to the assault.

On September 15 last year, McKinven took issue after being spoken to by the barmaid in the female toilets of a Campbeltown pub.

As the barmaid turned to walk away, McKinven struck her on the face with a glass, leaving a substantial bruise below the victim’s right eye.

‘By luck, the glass did not break,’ said the fiscal.

Defence agent Stephen MacSporran said that there was a ‘bad background’ between the two women, adding: ‘She does not use this as an excuse but as an explanation.

‘She was intoxicated and she fully accepts that this is unacceptable behaviour.’

Mr MacSporran said that McKinven was aware that custody was a possibility but asked Sheriff Patrick Hughes to consider other options to allow her to prove she can be rehabilitated.

Sheriff Hughes said: ‘Nine years ago you were convicted of an identical offence and you received a custodial sentence for it.’

He said that for the sole reason she is now the mother of two young children, he would explore non-custodial options. He imposed a community payback order, ordering McKinven to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, and to remain under the supervision of the social work department for that time.

He also ordered her to pay £300 compensation to her victim and banned her from entering any public house in Argyll and Bute for nine months, as well as imposing a restriction of liberty order, meaning McKinven must remain in her home from 10.30pm until 5am for nine months.

Sheriff Hughes added: ‘The only reason you’re not going to prison today is because your children need you.’