Tina Easton was found not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court

by Julia Roberts

A woman has been cleared of glassing a love rival in the face at an entertainment complex in Leysdown.

Tina Easton, 32, was alleged to have deliberately struck Lianne Everett twice with the half-pint glass when she saw Miss Everett with her ex-boyfriend at Merlin's in October 2009.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Easton and Gary Newman had previously been in a relationship and had a child together.

However, relations between Easton and Miss Everett were strained, said Peter Forbes, prosecuting.

Violence erupted after Miss Everett heard the tail-end of a conversation between Easton and Mr Newman.

Mr Forbes said Miss Everett may have misinterpreted what she heard and commented that no kids were angels.

However, as she walked back inside the pub, it was alleged Easton lashed out with the glass.

"The defendant, without warning, struck her in the face," said the prosecutor.

"She was holding the glass in her hand. It shattered in Miss Everett’s face. The Crown say this was a forceful blow. There were two blows.

"She sought to defend herself. They scuffled and fell to the floor. Even on the floor, the defendant was saying to Lianne Everett: 'I am going to finish you off.'

"Others intervened. Some rough justice was then administered to Tina Easton. Gary Newman for one accepts punching her."

Miss Everett was seriously injured. An ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital. Her wounds were stitched.

Police went to Easton's home and saw she had two black eyes. Her right hand was extremely bloody.

Easton, of Bramley Way, Eastchurch, denied wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and claimed she acted in self-defence.