Beauty therapist speaks out after Halesowen nightclub glass attack leaves her scarred for life

Nicole Hill, 20, had been enjoying a night out in Benjamin's Bar in Birmingham Street, Halesowen with her 47-year-old mother Lorraine.

But the pair were brutally attacked when Nicole spurned the advances of a man who tried to dance with her in the early hours of Friday November 16 last year.

• Police hunting thug in Halesowen bottle attack

After threatening the pair with an empty Budweiser bottle the thug punched Lorraine - who fell to the floor dragging her daughter down with her.

He then smashed both women over the head with the upside down bottle as they cowered on the dancefloor.

The mother and daughter were rushed to hospital and needed stitches to treat deep lacerations to their heads.

Today, brave Nicole spoke out about the terrifying attack as she and her mother released pictures of their injuries in a bid to try to catch the thug - who ran from the club after the incident.

Nicole, who has been with her boyfriend Craig Tether, 23, for three years, said: "We were out with a couple of my mum's friends, it was just a normal night out.

"When it happened it was just me and my mum on the dancefloor because one friend was at the bar and another was in the toilet.

"We were just dancing and he came up to me and was trying to dance but I was having none of it as I have a boyfriend and kept backing away.

"Because he was with his mates he started to get a bit cocky. He was sticking his fingers up behind my back.

"I put my arms up as if to say 'what are you doing?' and he kept sticking his fingers up.

"Next thing we know I turned around to look at him and he had a Budweiser bottle in his hand but it was upside down.

"My mum had stepped in front of me to push me back away and from then on it is all a bit of a blur.

"We are guessing my mum was hit on the head. It basically knocked her out and as she fell she pulled me down to the floor.

"He was on top of us and he hit my mum first over the head because she had a piece of glass in her head.

"And then he hit me second. I can remember someone picking me up and panicking and I had no idea what was going on.

"It looked like I had been slashed in the neck and it wouldn't stop bleeding."

Nicole needed seven stitches for a four inch gash on the back of her head while mum Lorraine had an inch-and-a-half gap on the top of her head glued back together.

West Midlands Police released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the horrific assault.

Nicole, who lives with retail worker Lorraine in Halesowen, added: "It has just been awful.

"It's really hard for me to have my hair up because I have a massive scar.

"My mum is still off work, she has been really affected by it. She hasn't been out since it happened.

"I've been out for people's birthdays but I won't go out unless it's a special occasion. It shook our confidence."

In December last year a 26-year-old local man was arrested, but was subsequently released without charge.

Detective Constable Dave Hackett, from West Midlands Police, said: "I am convinced that someone would have seen the incident and remembered this unprovoked attack on the dance floor of a busy club.

"I would also appeal to the friends of the attacker, whom I believe were present, and will have key information which can assist our investigation.

"This attack has been a life changing event for the mum and her daughter and I would urge anyone who can help to contact us immediately."

Witnesses are urged to call DC Hackett on 101 or alternatively information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.