Sunderland mum jailed for horrific cocktail bar glass attack that left victim with 'truly disfiguring' injuries and 42 stitches to her face

A Sunderland mum who smashed a Martini glass into a woman's face in a horrific cocktail bar attack has been jailed for four years.
Chelsea NewtonChelsea Newton
Chelsea Newton

Chelsea Newton left her victim, a childcare worker, needing 42 stitches to her face and the prospect of surgery after the assault at Bonbar in Newcastle last August.The 26-year-old, who has "no recollection" of what she did, had just bought her drink when she targeted the woman, a stranger who was waiting to be served.Prosecutor Conor Quinn told Newcastle Crown Court: "The defendant, who had just been served a glass of Martini, smashed that glass into her face."She then began repeatedly punching her until a member of staff got in between the two."Newton, of Thorburn Street, Sunderland, admitted wounding with intent on the basis she wrongly perceived she was about to be attacked.She has a caution and one previous conviction for pub violence as well as a public order offence on her record.Mr Recorder Duncan Smith said the injuries suffered by the victim are "truly disfiguring".The judge told Newton: "The course of history was affected by your impulsive act.

"Your victim went into those premises for an enjoyable evening and came out looking completely different."She will look that way for the rest of her life."The constant reminder will be every time she looks at herself in the bathroom mirror, every time she combs her hair it will be there."You did that."The judge said he took Newton's remorse into consideration but added: "There is no re-writing or history, no going behind what you did."The woman said in a victim impact statement she needed weeks away from her job so as not to worry or scare the young children she works with.She said her return to work was a struggle and added: "Naturally, the children were asking a lot of questions about my face and my injuries."It was hard trying to explain to them, without upsetting them or myself, I didn't want to scare them by telling them the truth."The 25-year-old said she now has to be accompanied whenever she goes outside as she fears bumping into her attacker again.The victim said she covers her face with a scarf or her hair and her self confidence has "completely gone".She added: "Every time I look in the mirror now I get upset because of permanent scarring."Every time I see myself it brings back horrible memories of the night."I don't think I will ever forget what happened that night, the scars on my face are a permanent reminder."Glen Gatland, defending, said Newton was suffering from undiagnosed post traumatic stress disorder, stemming from a violent relationship she had been in, which left her extremely sensitive to any perceived threat.He said the night of the attack was the first time Newton had been out in a long time and she had drank more than she was used to.Mr Gatland added: "She is absolutely horrified by her conduct, she cannot be more remorseful and apologetic for the injuries she accepts she caused."She is traumatised by the thought of what went on that night."Mr Gatland handed in a stack of references to Newton's ordinarily positive character.