Matlock glass attack lout faces possible jail term

An aggressive young woman who smashed a pint glass over a man’s head during a dispute on a night out in Matlock faces a possible jail sentence.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, February 11, how Zoe Handley, 21, of Victoria Hall Gardens, Matlock, attacked Daniel Hooton in the Monk Bar, on Dale Road, leaving him covered in drink and blood.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “The complainant Daniel Hooton had been at a Christmas party with a group of about ten people and they went to the Monk Bar, in Matlock, after that meal.”

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The complainant’s girlfriend Beth Richardson had seen a friend in the bar who was with the defendant and Ms Richardson went over to speak to her friend.

Handley put her head against Ms Richardson’s head, according to Mrs Allsop, and asked if she had a problem with her and Mr Hooton heard his girlfriend say no and he stepped between the two women.

Mrs Allsop added: “The defendant then poured a pint drink over Mr Hooton’s head which soaked him and after he swore at her he felt a bang to his head which he realised was a glass and it broke on impact.”

Witness Emily Neville stated that she had heard the defendant ask Ms Richardson why she kept staring at her and Daniel had stepped between them.

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Mrs Allsop added: “Ms Neville said that Mr Hooton and Handley exchanged words before Handley said, ‘Who do you think you are?’.”

Ms Neville also stated that Mr Hooton and Handley then both swore before the defendant raised a glass which went over Mr Hooton’s head and he had drink all over him and he was bleeding heavily.

The court heard how the complainant went to hospital and had suffered a one-and-half inch cut following the attack. Handley pleaded guilty to causing malicious wounding after the incident on December 14, last year.

Defence solicitor Felicity Clarke explained that the matter was being addressed by the probation service before sentencing.

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Magistrates said they believed the offence could carry a custodial sentence of more than six months and explained their powers would therefore be insufficient to sentence Handley. The bench subsequently committed the case to Derby Crown Court for sentencing on March 18. Handley was granted bail on the conditions that she does not go to the Monk Bar and does not contact Daniel Hooton or Bethany Richardson.

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