Former Marine jailed after glass attack in bar

A FORMER Marine hurled a pint glass at a woman in a packed Cleethorpes bar, causing her permanent facial damage, a court heard.

Dramatic CCTV footage of the attack – which was deemed too graphic to be released – was shown to Grimsby Crown Court.

Drunken Colin Lindley, 21, launched a pint glass at 23-year-old Kirsty Smith in Bar Racuda, after a confrontation with her and her boyfriend, the court was told.

Lindley, of Beverley Close, Holton-le-Clay, admitted assaulting Miss Smith, causing actual bodily harm, on April 19. Prosecuting, Gordon Stables said Miss Smith was in the bar with boyfriend Ashley McKenzie when there was an "exchange of words" with Lindley.

Mr Stables said Mr McKenzie was ejected by door staff and Miss Smith then "unwisely threw the contents of her drink over the defendant".

The court heard Lindley then threw his glass at Miss Smith, which struck her face.

Mr Stables said Miss Smith has a permanent scar, damage to facial nerves and may have to undergo plastic surgery.

Lindley claimed to have drunk 10 pints of lager and 10 double measures of Southern Comfort, the court heard.

Mitigating, Richard Butters said Lindley had drunk an amount which was "quite exceptional".

"He is utterly ashamed about what he did. His actions were completely out of character," said Mr Butters.

He said Lindley had joined the Royal Marines when he left school and had served in Afghanistan, where he saw his best friend killed in action.

Recorder Tahir Khan said the offence was so serious only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

He jailed Lindley for 12 months, to applause from the public gallery.

No one from Bar Racuda was available for comment.