MUM GLASSED LOVE RIVAL

ATTACKER SPOTTED HER EX-BOYFRIEND’S NEW PARTNER AT A VILLAGE RESTAURANT

A MUMS’ night out ended with a woman smashing a glass into a love rival’s face, a court heard.

Victoria Taylor, 49, carried out the “unprovoked attack” when she spotted her ex-boyfriend’s partner at an Italian restaurant.

Taylor, pictured, an accounts manager for a national pharmaceutical company, went over with a tumbler and struck her with it, causing cuts and bruising.

The 47-year-old victim also sustained scratches and had her hair pulled out during the ensuing melee, at a restaurant in Anstey on May 10.

Elizabeth Dodds, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court: “The complainant was standing at the bar on her own while her friend went out for a cigarette.

“She was approached by the defendant. They knew of each other as the defendant’s ex-boyfriend was the complainant’s partner at the time.

“The complainant described it as being an unprovoked attack.

“The defendant lunged at her and struck her in the face.

“The complainant didn’t appreciate she’d been hit with a glass until she noticed there was a shard of glass in her face with blood dripping.”

A “scuffle” followed. The victim sustained bruising to her right eye and two lacerations, as well as a nasty scratch mark across her chest.

Her foot was cut by broken glass and some of her hair was pulled out.

Miss Dodds said: “The injuries were less serious than they could have been.

“The complainant works at a school and she was quite embarrassed to have bruising and cuts.

“It’s had an impact on her, with difficulty sleeping, vivid dreams and she fears bumping into the defendant again.”

Taylor, of Forest Gate, Anstey, told police she had acted in self-defence – but went on to plead guilty to an offence of unlawful wounding.

Gary Short, mitigating, said Taylor “was in a relationship with a man who at the same time decided to have a relationship with the victim”.

He said: “The defendant found out about the victim when she ended the relationship with him.

“It was an eyeopener when she found out about his other affairs.”

Of the glassing, Mr Short said: “It was a rare evening out with school mums to her local restaurant.

“As this defendant was leaving, drink and emotions of what happened got the better of her.

“She acted out of character. No serious injuries resulted and there’s been no repetition.”

Mr Short said Taylor was a single mother of two children, aged nine and seven, and also looked after her mother who recently had a stroke.

Mr Short said: “She’s very well thought of by her employers.

“She’s been open and upfront with her employers who say ‘if you keep your liberty, you keep your job.’

“Her spare time is dedicated to her children.”

Mr Short said the defendant had no objection to a restraining order.

Judge Ebraham Mooncey said: “I accept you’re truly sorry for what happened.

“This should never have happened and the victim shouldn’t have been subjected to any kind of assault, whatever the background.

“It’s had a huge impact on her with ongoing effects. I hope she can put it behind her.

“The physical aspect, although described as scars, are thankfully minimal and it could have been much worse.

“If I sent you to custody the wider impact would be huge; your children would suffer, you’d lose your work and accommodation.

“I don’t think you’re likely to offend again, you’re not a danger to society but you have lost your good name.”

Taylor was given a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

She was ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim and £500 prosecution costs.