A mum of two who hit a clubber in the head with the heel of her shoe following a row about childcare has been spared prison.

Lyndsey Arnold, who has a previous conviction for assaulting police and a caution for attacking an ex-boyfriend, lashed out at Thomas Bonner while at the Casino Rooms in Rochester.

Arnold, 30, had gone to the nightclub with her sister, with whom Mr Bonner had a child.

Maidstone Crown Court heard violence flared when objection was taken to Mr Bonner having a night out when he was meant to be looking after the youngster for the weekend.

Arnold originally tried to act as peacemaker between the couple but later attacked Mr Bonner in reaction to what her lawyer referred to as his “inflammatory” behaviour.

“There was pushing and shoving and she accepts she had no right to do what she did, that is to take off her shoe and hit him with it” - Philip Sinclair, defending

Mr Bonner suffered a deep cut to the back of his head, as well as scratches to his face as he tried to restrain her during the assault in December 2013.

He later claimed he had been hit with Arnold’s stiletto heel but the court was told she was wearing wedged heels at the time and must have caught Mr Bonner with a corner edge.

Arnold, of Windward Road, Rochester, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

She was jailed for 15 months suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and pay Mr Bonner £250 in compensation.

She was also fined £200 after she admitted being in breach of a 12-month conditional discharge for spitting “in anger” at a police officer.

Recorder Matthew McDonagh also heard Arnold received a caution for assault in 2007 after she scratched her then boyfriend’s face.

The judge said she had used her shoe as a weapon, in a nightclub and while “in drink”. But he added that while her action could have led to a “potentially very serious injury”, he was prepared to give her “one more chance”.

Philip Sinclair, defending, said Arnold had initially tried to calm the row between her sister and Mr Bonner before lashing out.

“There was pushing and shoving and she accepts she had no right to do what she did, that is to take off her shoe and hit him with it,” he said.

Mr Sinclair said Arnold was sole carer to her daughters, one of whom suffers from diabetes and requires regular insulin injections, and had put herself in a “very precarious” position.

But he added there had been no repeat of any violent behaviour since.

Stories you might have missed

Getaway driver jailed for his part in £40k robbery

Girl pinned to wall and sexually assaulted

Salesman steals from elderly cancer sufferer

Mum slices thumb on broken glass in shopping