Bride to be who broke woman's nose while out on her hen night is behind bars
A bride-to-be who broke another woman's nose while out on her hen night has been put behind bars.
Donna Ellis, her daughter Elisa Smith and others were celebrating her impending marriage with a night out that included a visit to the Black Garter in Newcastle in August 2024.
Newcastle Crown Court trouble erupted outside the city centre bar when a female stranger advised Smith to walk away after her mother Ellis called her a "slag".
In response, both mum and daughter turned on the woman who had tried to help and threw a series of kicks and punches that put her in hospital with a broken nose and left her traumatised.
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court the victim, a mental health worker, had been out with colleagues and was smoking outside the city centre bar.
Mr Wardlaw said: "She became aware Ellis had referred to Smith as a slag and caused her to become upset.
"The complainant advised Smith to walk away.
"Ellis intercepted angrily, squared up to the complainant, gesturing for her to fight."
The court heard the victim responded verbally and Mr Wardlaw added: "Ellis punched her to the face, after which Smith took hold of the complainant and dragged her to the ground.
"Both defendants repeatedly punched and kicked the complainant, who lost consciousness."
The court heard the violence continued even after the woman fell unconscious and others became involved.
The victim's nasal bones and septum were fractured and required manipulation in hospital.
She said in an impact statement she feared for her life at the time and changed from someone who was "bubbly and outgoing to now scared of big crowds and loud noises".
The woman said she is now "petrified" in case it happens again and the attack has affected her social life and work.
Ellis, 39, of Killingworth Avenue, Backworth, North Tyneside, who has since married, and Smith, 19, of the same address, both admitted assault and affray.
Ellis, who has 103 convictions on her record, also admitted assaulting and emergency worker on that some night and assaulting two emergency workers during an unrelated confrontation.
The mum was sentenced to a total of 29 months behind bars while her daughter, who has never been in trouble before, got 13 months, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements, 200 hours unpaid work and £1,000 compensation order.
Mark Harrison, defending Ellis, told the court the women had been out at a meal in Durham for the defendant's hen party and had "enjoyed their day".
Mr Harrison said Ellis has "no recollection" of calling her daughter the name but is sorry if that word was said and added: "Her recollection is someone was making reference to the necklace she was wearing and had thought they had wanted it, had told her she couldn't possibly have afforded to purchase it.
"It was a gift from her then fiance, now husband."Mr Harrison said Ellis accepted using "completely unacceptable violence" but that violence was then directed at her, she was left with an eye injury which bled profusely and her necklace was taken from her.
Matthew Purves, defending Smith, said the day should have been a "joyous event" and the daughter drank more alcohol than she was used to.
Mr Purves said Smith had a troubled upbrining but has qualifications and is in employment.
The court heard both women are remorseful for what happened.