Melanie Settle grabbed a rival's hair extension outside a club

by Keith Hunt

A hard-drinking mother who attacked another woman at a nightclub and waved her hair extension around like a trophy has been spared jail.

Melanie Settle was sipping Champagne when she lashed out at student Leigh-Ann Carey at the Casino Rooms in Rochester.

The victim suffered a cut to her arm that left her scarred, but the prosecution accepted Settle's plea on the basis she did not have a glass in her hand when she launched the attack.

The unemployed 32-year-old drug taker, of Holmleigh Avenue, Dartford, admitted assault causing actual after her trial started in July.

She was sentenced to six months' imprisonment - suspended for two years - with 175 hours' unpaid work.

Settle was ordered to pay Miss Carey £100 compensation.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the victim was enjoying a night out with friends and in the early hours of September 4 last year went to the bar to chat to a friend working there.

The friend complained to Miss Carey that Settle had called her a "slag".

Miss Carey, who worked part-time at the club, then confronted Settle as she chatted to off-duty doorman Dave Wiley.

The two women argued and Mr Wiley stepped between them. Settle then threw punches at Miss Carey. During the squabble, Settle grabbed a clump of Miss Carey's hair and refused to give it back when ejected by bouncers.

"She says no, it is her trophy, she has won it," said prosecutor Paul Andrews.

"Just like any sportsman parading a trophy she has won, she is more than pleased with herself with what she has taken."

CCTV cameras outside showed Settle triumphantly waving the hairpiece around.

She later denied smashing the glass on the bar and claimed she did not have it in her hand at the time.

Mr Recorder Peter Gower QC said as Settle admitted spending £30-40 on cannabis and alcohol there was money that could be better spent on compensation and court costs.

He told Settele: "If I were to sentence you on the basis you caused this injury with a glass used as a weapon you would be sent to prison immediately.

"It is clear this offence was committed against a background of consuming more alcohol than you should have done."