Mum-of-three who attacked pregnant club-goer avoids jail

A MUM-OF-THREE who attacked a pregnant club-goer has avoided jail.

Leah Owens, of Maes Golau, Felinfoel, had denied assaulting Rebecca Gasser, but was found guilty by a jury of committing actual bodily harm.

Owens was dressed as a robber during a theme night at the nightclub when she attacked Ms Gasser, who was five months pregnant.

During the trial, the court heard Ms Gasser had confronted Owens, 29, after she saw her dancing "seductively" with her boyfriend, Steve Goss, in Bailey's nightclub in Llanelli, on August 7, 2011.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

Owens grabbed hold of Ms Gasser's hair and repeatedly hit her with a bottle.

Witness Angharad Miles told the court she had been in the club with Ms Gasser when she saw Owens hit her over the head "several times" with a bottle of Smirnoff Ice, before Ms Miles's boyfriend, Andrew Tucker, then tried to break up the incident.

Miss Miles told the jury Owens had been "grinding" against Mr Goss before the incident broke out.

Ms Gasser was left with a cut to the back of her head and had to be taken to Prince Phillip Hospital for treatment.

Owens had denied assault and said part of her costume accessories — a pair of handcuffs — had caused Ms Gasser's injury.

During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, Owens admitted she had grabbed Ms Gasser's hair, but said the incident was over "within seconds".

Recorder Paul Hopkins said Owens had grabbed her victim by the hair and thrown her to the ground and that Ms Gasser had covered her stomach with her arm to protect her baby, leaving herself with no way to defend herself.

Carina Hughes, for Owens, told Recorder Hopkins her client had no previous convictions and was a single mother-of- three.

She said a term in prison would not only affect her but also her children.

Recorder Hopkins said he would impose a 26-week jail term, suspended for two years. He also told her to complete a supervision requirement.

He said unpaid work was not suitable but imposed a curfew and ordered her to pay £100 compensation.