NHS worker glassed sportsman after he tapped her with inflatable golf club at hen do
An NHS worker glassed a sportsman's face after he repeatedly tapped her with an inflatable golf club at a hen do.
Donna Stalker, 34, and pals were celebrating at a bar in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, and messing around with inflatable items had initially caused laughter.
But Newcastle Crown Court heard the mum-of-three suddenly lashed out at the victim, who had harmlessly tapped her head and back with the blow-up prop, and hit his face with her glass, which shattered on impact.
Prosecutor Mairi Clancy said she caused a deep laceration to the man's chin, that needed 10 stitches, cuts to the side of his nose that were glued and damage to his lip that required referral to a plastic surgeon.
The court heard the victim was a keen footballer and boxer and had to cancel a fight he had already booked and sold tickets for due to his injuries.
Miss Clancy told the court: "The case concerns a serious and unprovoked assault committed in a busy public house in Tynemouth on Saturday July 13 2024.
"The complainant was out socialising with friends in a bar and they were approached by a group of women out on a hen do.
"Initially light hearted interaction involving inflatable items was met with laughter then, without warning, the defendant struck the victim to the face with a glass, causing it to shatter on impact."
The court heard Stalker left the Head of Steam bar and later returned home to Scotland without realising she had caused injuries.
After she found out about a police media appeal about the attack she handed herself in.
In an impact statement, the victim, who has since moved to Australia, said: "This incident has had a significant impact on my physical and mental health.
"I am an extremely active and sporty person, sports such as boxing and football."
The man said he was unable to box for at least six months in case the scars opened up.
He added: "I had a fight booked and over 30 people had bought tickets, I was also unable to play football.
"Sport is my livelihood."
The court heard it is unclear whether the victim will be permanently scarred.
Stalker, Harrier Court, Dunfermline, Fife, admitted unlawful wounding.
Judge Tom Moran sentenced her to 10 months suspended for 18 months with 150 hours unpaid work and a £1,000 compensation order.
Judge Moran told her: "You were down in this area at a hen party about 18 months ago in a local bar when you were clearly irritated by what I am satisfied was only ever intended to be just playful behaviour by the victim, who had an inflatable golf club and was tapping it harmlessly on your back and head a number of times.
"That obviously irritated you and rather than dealing with it in a different way you turned around and lashed out while you still had a glass in your hand."
Judge Moran said Stalker had not realised the harm she had caused and added: "This case just goes to show the dangers of any violence involving a glass."
The court heard Stalker has a part-time job in the NHS.
Brian Hegarty, defending, told the court: "Following this she left the bar and went back to the accommodation they had, unaware of the seriousness."
Mr Hegarty said Stalker handed herself in to the police, has "limited recollection of events" but accepts she lashed out in temper.
He added: "She has a deep sense of shame."