Jealous ex dragged woman to floor after months of social media threats

Shardae Chambers, of Monsal Avenue, Heath Town, dragged the woman to the floor and struck her in the face with a plastic beaker.

The attack followed months of threats sent by Chambers via social media.

At Wolverhampton Magistrates Court, she was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the first day of a trial in October.

Prosecuting, Mr Bernard Linnemann, said Chambers was upset that her boyfriend of several years was in a new relationship.

Between July and October last year the pair exchanged messages via social media which included threats made by Chambers.

Mr Linnemann said the victim responded 'feistily' at times but told Chambers to stop her threats, to no avail.

The dispute came to a head when the pair crossed paths at The Prince Albert, Fryer Street, on November 29 last year.

Mr Linnemann, said: "At around 3am the defendant approached the victim from behind, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her backwards onto the floor.

"The victim landed on her back painfully, and then the defendant struck her with at least one blow.

"She had hit her with what was described as a hard plastic beaker, and then also kicker her."

The court heard the victim was left with a 3cm wound on her forehead which a year later was still giving her pain when she frowned.

Chambers, who has no previous convictions, was arrested hours later.

Defending, Mr Jasvir Mann, said: "Apart from this ugly episode Shardae Chambers is a decent young lady, who is well thought of, and those who have written on her behalf would not ever consider her likely to get involved in episodes like this.

"This offence occurred in a peculiar context. She was not a young woman walking the streets of Wolverhampton looking for trouble but I do accept there is a history between her and the complainant.

"This was a blip in an otherwise decent, well-lived life and there is genuine remorse for her actions."

Chambers was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to her victim and a statutory surcharge of £80.

Giving his sentence, Judge Nicholas Cole, said: "There was clearly a history between yourself and the complainant, a result of which you took it upon yourself when you bumped into her at 3am on the dancefloor, to take the opportunity to attack her.

"You pulled her to the floor and struck her in the face, at least once, with a plastic beaker. You also kicked her.

"As a result of your foolish and violent actions you left a scar on another lady's face. That is extremely serious.

"If it were not for the fact you have no previous convictions you would almost certainly be going to prison today."

The Prince Albert was told in September it would be stripped of its licence after police raised concerns about reports of violence at the venue.

Bosses have appealed to Wolverhampton council in a bid to get the decision overturned.