Addict jailed for glass attack at Whitnash pub

Attacker Rachel McLea pleaded not guilty to a charge of wounding with intent, and on the day of her trial at Warwick Crown Court she admitted an alternative offence of malicious wounding.

That was accepted, and heroin addict McLea, 38, of Leicester Street, Leamington, was jailed for 14 months.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley said that in October 2013 McLea, following her father’s funeral, was at the wake which was held at the Whitnash Tavern.

Kayleigh Buckley, was also at the pub and was talking to two men when McLea walked over and began talking about Ms Buckley’s uncle.

She then, without warning, struck her to the face with a glass, which shattered, before turning and walking out.

As a result of the blow Ms Buckley had a two-inch wound to her left cheek which needed eight stitches and has left her with a scar, and a 1.5-inch cut above her eyebrow.

McLea was identified as the attacker and was arrested hiding at her boyfriend’s home.

When she was first questioned she made no comment, but then claimed she had been acting in self-defence.

Miss Heeley added that at the time McLea had been subject to a suspended prison sentence for burglary.

Graeme Simpson, defending, said that McLea, who walked into court on crutches, has ‘very significant health problems,’ including anxiety and depression.

Jailing McLea, Recorder John Edwards told her: “I deal with you on your basis of plea that it was a single blow, and bear in mind this incident is now 16 months ago.

“But one only has to see the photographs to see just how close to Miss Buckley’s eye this glass went. She was within a whisker of losing her sight and has been left with a scar. I can’t overlook the injury.”