Woman beaten with bottle in mass brawl after trouble flares up in South Shields pizza shop

A woman who hit another woman on the head four times with a bottle has been warned she is facing a prison sentence.
Ocean Road. Picture c/o Google MapsOcean Road. Picture c/o Google Maps
Ocean Road. Picture c/o Google Maps

Chelsea Dodds didn't know who she attacked after she became involved in a mass brawl in South Shields town centre.

Trouble flared at about 4am in a pizza shop among people who had recently left Roxanne's nightclub, South Northumbria Magistrates' Court heard.

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"The victim in this case suffered two inch-long wounds to the head which required staples," said Glenda Beck, prosecuting.

"In a statement, she says she had been out watching the Newcastle United v Sunderland football match, and had carried on drinking afterwards.

"She describes having a night out in South Shields without any trouble until she went to the pizza shop.

"There was an altercation which spilled onto the street."

Ms Beck said the attack was caught on CCTV.

"That shows the victim being pulled up from the ground by her hair by Ms Dodds," added Ms Beck.

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"She is then struck four times on the head with a bottle, which is in Ms Dodds' right hand.

"Ms Dodds was later shown the footage, and appeared shocked at how she had behaved.

"She admitted being drunk, and couldn't really remember how or why she had become involved in the fighting."

Dodds, 30. of Church End Road, Manchester, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon, both on March 21, last year.

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Val Bell, defending, said in her opinion the case was suitable to be dealt with by the magistrates.

Ms Bell added: "The defendant is a lady of good character, who cooperated with police and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

"There was no pre-meditation, and there are two offences meaning the bench would have a maximum sentence available of 12 months."

The court clerk said the case could fall into a higher category of the sentencing guidelines.

The bench declined jurisdiction on the grounds their sentencing powers may be insufficient.

Dodds was bailed to attend Newcastle Crown Court to be dealt with on July 4.