Mum who glassed stranger in Warrington pub is spared jail

Zoe Allen’s victim was left needing stitches after he was glassed in the face.

Allen was told by the Judge that ‘people who glass people in pubs deserve to go to prison’.

But she was given a second chance due to the impact that a custodial sentence would have on her two children.

The 32-year-old, of Pendlebury Street, Latchford, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Prosecuting, Steven McNally said how the offences happened on the defendant’s 30th birthday back in August 2021.

The victim and his friend were drinking in Bridges in Warrington town centre when Allen and her friend approached them and made small talk.

Mr McNally explained how the victim and his friend ‘weren’t fussed’ about talking to the women.

The court heard how Allen and her friend left the pub for an hour before returning. Once they were back, they were ‘milling’ around the victim and his friend’s table.

Again, they were making small talk, but Allen then began to speak to the victim about mental health.

Liverpool Crown Court was told how he said something along the lines of: “You have no idea about bad mental health.”

Allen then made a comment about how she was going to glass the victim before spitting in his face which resulting in him standing up and pushing her before sitting back down at his table.

Allen then threw a glass at his face, causing it to smash. She then left the pub.

The victim attended A&E where he was found to have a number of small skin tears, tenderness, a 2.5cm laceration, and bruising.

He required stitches and it was noted how it was lucky that the glass had not him in the eye.

A victim impact statement was read to the court in which it was heard how the man has suffered scarring and feels self-conscious and nervous now when out and about.

The incident has also had a negative impact on his mental health.

Defending, Kyra Badman said how her client is of previous good character and that the offence was ‘totally out of character’.

She said how Allen is ‘genuinely mortified’ and feels ‘extreme shame and sympathy’ in relation to the attack.

It was heard how much of a negative impact Allen’s imprisonment would have on her two children.

Concluding, recorder Taylor said: “If it had not been for the fact that you have two children to look after, you would be going to prison because people who glass people in public houses and cause these sort of injuries to their face deserve to go to prison.”

Allen received 16 months in prison suspended for two years.

She must also pay £2,000 in compensation to the victim.