A woman has been cleared of cutting a former friend with a glass in a row at a nightclub.

Elaine Barker, 25, of Hordle Street, Dovercourt, had denied a charge of common assault, and Colchester magistrates yesterday (Thursday) accepted she was acting in self-defence.

Catherine Steer had told magistrates how a night out at Reflections nightclub in Dovercourt ended with her having a cut to her face and needing to go to hospital after an argument erupted.

Mrs Steer, a mother of two, said she had been at the club on March 4, 2000. Ms Barker was also there with Julie Cook who had previously been good friends with Mrs Steer but had fallen out with her.

Mrs Steer said Ms Barker confronted her as she tried to leave the club, but she refused to speak to her.

"When she came over to me she had a glass in her hand, a pint glass, but I trusted her not to use it," Mrs Steer told the court.

"But then she threw its contents in my face and I felt a sharp pain on my cheek under my eye.

"She then grabbed my hair and to stop her getting closer to me I grabbed on to hers and tried to keep her arms and legs away from me," she said.

But Ms Barker, while admitting she was involved in the altercation, denied she threw a glass, saying her diamond ring must have caught Mrs Steer while they grappled with each other.

Witness Thomas Johnson knew Ms Barker through a Christian fellowship she had joined. He said she had "musical talents" and had helped with church events, adding: "She appears to me to be a caring, loving mother."

After nearly an hour of deliberation, chairman of the bench Adrian Amos told Ms Barker they found her not guilty because they accepted she was acting in self-defence.

After the verdict she said "Thank you very much", tearfully hugged her mother, and said "Praise the Lord".

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