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National
Sara Nichol

Drunk reveller attacked Newcastle nightclub doorman with high-heeled shoe

A drunk reveller used her high-heeled shoe to attack a nightclub doorman after she took exception to being kicked out.

New mum, Rachael Thornton, was on her first night out since the birth of her baby when she was told she had to leave Jalou, in Newcastle city centre, in the early hours of the morning because she was too intoxicated. A court heard that the 24-year-old didn't take the news well and lashed out at a doorman as he escorted her outside the premises.

Prosecutors said that the victim had to protect his head with his hand as Thornton tried to hit him with her high-heeled shoe, catching him at the base of his fingers. He felt immediate pain and saw blood coming from a cut to his hand before flagging down a police officer.

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Thornton, of Grotto Road, South Shields, has now been hit in the pocket after she pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was fined £250 and ordered to pay £300 compensation at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. She must also cough up £85 costs.

Paul Doney, prosecuting, said the victim was at work at 2am on June 5 this year when he went to assist some colleagues in removing Thornton, who was drunk and "causing issues", from the club. Mr Doney added: "The defendant lunged at a staff member. The victim took hold of her, putting one of her arms behind her back.

"He escorted her out the venue and onto Neville Street before he let go. Once he does, she turns and goes to hit him around the head with a high-heeled shoe. He didn't see her take her shoes off. She swung with her left hand. He saw the high heel coming towards his face, so he put up his hand and the heel struck his hand."

The court heard that the victim suffered a cut at the base of his middle and ring finger, which bled and continued to bleed on-and-off. In a statement, he said: "I have never had someone try to hit me with a high heel.

"If I had not acted quickly and put my hand up, it could have split my head open or hit me in the eye and caused me to lose my sight."

Michael Crowe, defending, said Thornton had never been in trouble before and had been on her first night out since becoming a mum. Mr Crowe added: "She hadn't consumed alcohol during her pregnancy, so she was not used to drinking alcohol.

"She went out with her partner and another couple and she concedes, unwisely, she had too much to drink." Mr Crowe said Thornton took exception to being thrown out as she felt it was another reveller who was responsible for causing the "issues".

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