A YOUNG woman who was glassed during a night out in Kendal is angry her attacker avoided prison.

Janine Wallace, 22, of Kendal, said Carlisle Crown Court’s sentence of 300 hours’ unpaid work did not make up for the pain she suffered at the hands of 22-year-old fellow Kendalian Amy Stevens.

“She should have been sent to prison for what she did,” said Miss Wallace, who was left bruised, cut and swollen after her ordeal.

“It could have been much worse. She could have taken my eye out.

“I could understand if I had done something to her but I didn’t.”

Describing the sentence as ‘terrible,’ Miss Wallace added: “Now everyone knows you can go out and glass someone and all you get is community service and a bit of a fine.”

Stevens, a former Windermere St Anne’s pupil and student at the University of Lancaster, struck Miss Wallace in the face with a wine glass on December 14.

She originally denied it but changed her plea to guilty when she was told she would be spared a prison sentence.

Alan Lovett, prosecuting, said Miss Wallace had needed numerous stitches and still suffered from nightmares following the attack.

“She says it has completely changed her. From an outgoing and bubbly person who liked to have a good time, to feeling anxious and having panic attacks when she is out with her friends,” he said.

In mitigation Paul Evans said: “Miss Stevens was dancing on the dance floor with her mother when the incident occurred.

“To say the pair were set upon may be putting it too strongly, but she and her mother were pushed by the complainant and her friends.

“This led the defendant to recklessly swing her arm not realising she was holding a glass.”

He said Stevens, who lives in Sandes Avenue, was later assaulted outside the club by Miss Wallace’s friends, adding: “Save for an incident of drink-driving, she is of good character and the court has seen a glowing reference from her former deputy head master at Windermere St Anne’s School.”

As well as being sentenced to 300 hours’ unpaid work, Stevens was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

“Normally people who commit these types of offences go to prison, even if they are 22 and have no history of criminal violence,” said recorder AJ McLouglin.