A 17-YEAR-OLD girl lashed out at a woman during a quarrel in a Winsford pub, a court has heard.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, struck out during an argument with 22-year-old Samantha Lloyd at a New Year's Eve party, at the Old Star pub last year.

Prosecuting, Jackie Lamb said: "Miss Lloyd had spent the evening dancing, and says she could see the defendant staring at her and giving her dark looks for most of the evening.

"At the end of the evening, she went into the bar area to say goodnight to people, when the defendant blocked her path. The defendant struck her in the back of the head, and she became aware that she was bleeding.

"She remembers being, in her words, absolutely petrified. As the defendant continued striking her, a barman came to try to get her away to safety."

Miss Lloyd suffered cuts on her nose and forehead, which had been caused by rings worn on the defendant's fingers, as well as bruising and headaches. The defendant had earlier denied the charge of malicious wounding, but admitted it at Northwich Magistrates' Court on Friday last week.

Defence solicitor Quentin Querelle said: "I want first of all to point out that my client was in the pub with some friends, and was not drinking alcohol.

"There are two sides to every story, and suffice it to say that there was some degree of confrontation between these two.

"She is aware, though, that she has gone far beyond what is reasonable in terms of a quarrel. This was a stupid act, and she will not be doing it again."

The girl was given a conditional discharge for 12 months by the magistrates, and was ordered to pay £100 to Miss Lloyd.

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