A woman launched a vodka bottle at a group of people brawling with her boyfriend on a night out in an 'ill-considered, stupid and reckless' bid to protect him.
Nicole Berry, 25, and her partner Justin Henry were out celebrating a job offer on Deansgate Locks when he got in a bust-up with a group who were out for a friends birthday.
Mr Henry allegedly hit one of the men, who retaliated.
A melee ensued, Manchester Crown Court heard.
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Berry, from Oldham, was attempting to hail a taxi nearby.
When she saw the fight, she went towards the group and threw a glass bottle of vodka towards them, hitting a man on the head.
She pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding - before being handed a community order.
Her basis of plea, which was read to the court, stated: "On the evening of March 29 2019, Nicole Berry went out for a meal and drinks with her boyfriend Justin Henry.
"During the course of the evening, Mr Henry bought her two bottles of vodka as a celebration of the offer of employment she has received.
"In the early hours of the following morning whilst she was attempting to hail a taxi, Mr Henry became involved in an altercation with members of a group of about a dozen males and females.
"Whatever Mr Henry did or did not say or do or did not do to initiate the violent behaviour, the CCTV clearly shows him being set upon by a number of individuals from the group.
"He was punched to the head several times, forced to the ground on at least two occasions and stamped on repeatedly.
"Ms Berry, after attempting to secure a taxi, made her way towards the melee.
"Once there she launched both bottles of vodka towards those involved and her aim was to cause those others to desist with the violence and protect Mr Henry from further serious injuries.
"She specifically accepts her actions in doing so were ill-considered, indiscriminate and disproportionate to the unlawful offence of another."
Prosecutor Rachel Widdicombe said one of the bottles hit one of the men on the head and blood started pouring ‘immediately’.
Berry and her partner were arrested and interviewed. She offered no comment to cops.
In a statement, the victim said: "Since the assault I have suffered with migraines more frequently.
"The injury is at the top of my head and is noticeable, and I have been subject to remarks and questions about it.
"I am mindful that this injury could have been caused to someone else and impacted them more and could have been more detrimental to them.
"I appreciate people make mistakes but it's important to take responsibility for your actions."
Berry has previous convictions.
Mitigating, barrister Ian Metcalfe said: "She reacted to seeing her boyfriend in a stressful and violent situation. Her reaction is instinctive and reactionary, but it is foolish, reckless and indiscriminate."
He said his client works as a mental health social worker, but was suspended on full pay as a result of the court proceedings.
Sentencing, Recorder Jeremy Lasker said: "It was ill-considered, stupid, reckless and dangerous.
"I am not sure what you intended, but it did cause a nasty injury to the crown of his head and left him with a permanent scar.
"You acted on the spur of the moment and it was out of character."
Berry, of Three Acre Avenue, Royton, was handed a 12 month community order; ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements; and ordered to complete an alcohol monitoring scheme for 60 days.
She must also pay £750 compensation to the victim and £350 court costs.
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