A GIRL who attacked another young woman with a bottle in a night club has been spared jail. Emily Hutson, 18, hit the victim over the head several times with a bottle in the SG8 club in Royston on April 3 this year in a row over a boyfriend. But at a h

A GIRL who attacked another young woman with a bottle in a night club has been spared jail.

Emily Hutson, 18, hit the victim over the head several times with a bottle in the SG8 club in Royston on April 3 this year in a row over a boyfriend.

But at a hearing held at Luton Crown Court last Friday, recorder Peter Schofield decided against issuing a custodial sentence because Hutson, of Maltings Close, Royston, had shown herself to be "obviously contrite" following the incident.

Prosecutor Sheryl Nwosu told the court that Hutson became annoyed because Rebecca Scott had been allegedly talking to her boyfriend about her behind her back.

Miss Nwosu said: "Miss Scott had told the defendant's boyfriend that Emily had been all over another guy the previous evening."

Hutson then cornered Miss Scott when she was sitting alone, and stood over her holding a bottle upside down.

"She felt threatened and told her to put the bottle down, but she immediately lifted it above her head and brought it down with force on Miss Scott's head. She lent forward and was hit on the head about three more times," said Miss Nwosu.

The court was told the victim was treated in hospital where three cuts on her head were glued. Almost immediately she received a text message from Hutson, apologising for what she had done.

Hutson pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm. She was given a 12 month community order with an alcohol treatment requirement. Simon Smith, defending, said: "This is a very sad and sorry incident. She was behaving wholly out of character. Unfortunately that night she had drunk rather more than was good for her. She is thoroughly ashamed of what she did.

"She has been terrified of going into custody and this has been a considerable lesson to her."

Recorder Schofield told Hutson: "This is a very serious offence and could well have led to a sentence of imprisonment.

"But I am impressed that you are obviously contrite and not proud of what you have done. But don't think this court has gone soft on you."

The college student was also ordered to pay �150 compensation.