A YOUNG woman who left a trainee teacher an inch from death after thrusting a glass into her face, has been jailed for 18 months.

Lisa Scraggs had tried to bully Laura Clarke, 21, by elbowing and shoving her as she danced with a friend in a city centre nightclub, a jury was told.

When Laura, who is studying to be a teacher at Manchester Metropolitan University, stood up to her Scraggs smashed the glass into her face causing two deep wounds and narrowly missing an eye and her jugular vein.

Scraggs, a 23-year-old insurance worker, always denied using a glass during the incident one night in September 2007 and despite being convicted by a jury of wounding, still maintained she was innocent.

Judge Anthony Gee was told Scraggs was 'fantastic, brilliant and caring' as he heard from a string of character witnesses, including a serving police officer. But the judge said the courts had to deal firmly with acts of violence in nightclubs and jailed her for 18 months.

As she was sentenced Scraggs sobbed and many of the 40-45 relatives and friends of hers who turned up at court to support her also broke down crying.

She was told by the judge at Manchester Crown Court: "Prior to your conviction you were a young woman of impeccable character and you are highly regarded by your employers and all who know you.

"But this was a grave offence and was a particularly serious example of it's type.

Belligerent

"For some reason, whether through drink or otherwise, you and a girl with you were behaving in a belligerent fashion that night, using your elbows to move others out of the way.

"Laura Clarke, when elbowed and pushed, stood up to you and refused to be bullied. She was told to move but she stood her ground and your response was to deliberately thrust a class at her face.

"That glass smashed on impact causing two terrible wounds. It is likely she will be left with permanent scarring and it is apparent she still suffers the effects of what you did and she is still deeply distressed by it.

"Acts of violence in our city centres, whether on the streets or in places where people go to enjoy themselves are, sadly, all too prevalent and the courts must do what can be done to deter others who may be minded to do as you did.

"You showed no remorse either at the time or during the trial apart from, it seems to me, feeling sorry for yourself."

The jury heard how Laura, who lives in Blackley, was on a night out with friends and ended up in Ampersand just off Deansgate. Scraggs, of Walsingham Avenue. Middleton, near Rochdale, was with her friends.

Henry Blackshaw, prosecuting, said she seemed to be 'in the mood for trouble'.

The court heard Scraggs was jostling people on the dance floor and when Laura stood up to her she hit her, smashing the glass against the side of her face. As a result Laura suffered two gashes which were later treated by a plastic surgeon.

One of the wounds was just an inch above the jugular vein and Laura was told if the vein had been hit she could have died. But she was still left with scarring and now has to wear heavy make-up and has her hair down over her cheek.

Laura said she feared her injuries may affect her confidence when she starts teaching.

"This time next year I'll be looking for a job" she said.

"Teaching has always been what I wanted to do. I love working with kids but I don't want them looking at the injuries."