Woman smashed glass into teenage girl’s face at Bishop's Castle venue

Tara Gwilliam, 26, “thrust” the glass into her 17-year-old victim’s face during a night out in Bishop’s Castle in the early hours of Christmas Eve last year.

She had pushed her victim’s boyfriend during an argument at The Underground in Station Street. When the teenager tried got involved to find out what was happening, Gwilliam smashed a glass she was holding into her face before fleeing.

Appearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, Gwilliam, who had admitted a charge of wounding at an earlier hearing, was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Prosecutor Robert Edwards said: “There was a private party taking place and the victim went there with her friends.

“The evening passed without incident until at around midnight the victim and her boyfriend went for a cigarette.

“The defendant approached the boyfriend, pushing him with both hands into a fence next to where they were standing.

“The boyfriend did not respond but the victim said ‘What are you doing? Get off my boyfriend,’ and placed her hand on the defendant’s left arm.

“It was at that point the defendant turned around to be face to face and said something to the complainant.

“The complainant had no time to realise what was going on. This defendant thrust a glass into her face.

“She felt glass shatter into her mouth and blood began to pour from her face. She knew some glass implement had been thrust into her face.

“The defendant immediately left the scene.”

The court heard how the victim had first aid at a nearby fire station before being taken to hospital in Telford.

She had suffered cuts to her face, lips and ears.

The court was told she also became aware of problems with her teeth and after paying for private dental treatment, hairline fractures were found in a couple of her teeth which may be permanently damaged.

In a victim impact statement, she also said the attack had left her self-conscious and anxious at a time she needed to be studying hard as she has the offer of a university place.

In mitigation, Mark Thompson said Gwilliam, of Churn Close, Lydbury North, near Bishop’s Castle, had already been punished by losing her career as a carer for adults with learning disabilities.

He said: “This was a spontaneous act and it was not pre-meditated.

“She reacted while holding a glass that she already had. She did not arm herself.

“It is right to say once that action had taken place this defendant walked away but when she had got home, she asked her husband to drive her back with a view to apologising to the victim.

“That action is the true reflection of this lady, not the person who pushed the glass into this person’s face.

“She is genuinely devastated by the result of her actions.”

Judge Peter Barrie said tthe offence crossed the custody threshold, but accepted Gwilliam’s remorse was genuine and that people relied on her for care.

He said: “The remorse you feel about your behaviour appears to be great and genuine.”

“You have written to the court and your victim and I accept those words are genuine.

“Nonetheless, this was very serious behaviour and involved the use of a glass and resulted in serious facial injuries.

“It is right to say you have been punished by the loss of your career and it is to your credit you have found alternative work.

“You have caring responsibility to your mother in law and I take that into account too.”

As well as the suspended sentence, Gwilliam must complete 200 hours unpaid work, pay compensation of £1,650 and a five-year restraining order was also put in place.