A MUM-of-three has received a suspended prison sentence after she bottled a “total stranger” following a drunken argument on New Year’s Eve.

Lavinia Ryder, 40, was described as initially having inserted herself into a conversation among a group of strangers acting as a peacemaker outside the Oak Inn, in Guilsfield, following a night out on New Year’s Eve last year.

But, she was described as “nosey” by one witness and had been asked to leave. Ryder suddenly became angry and aggressive and struck Shannon Pearce with a glass bottle.

Ryder, described as mother of three with an “exemplary record” prior to this, had denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but she was convicted at her trial, which was held at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 21. A day later, she was jailed for six-and-a-half months – but magistrates said they would suspend the prison term for 2 years.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said victim Ms Pearce had been at the Oak Inn on December 31, 2021, celebrating New Year’s Eve with her boyfriend, as well as her sister and her partner.

“She says she drunk eight gin and tonics, and shots, but was not drunk, and she remembers the night clearly,” said Mrs Tench.

“She went into the beer garden around midnight, they were the only people there. Her sister’s partner went and spoke to a friend and suddenly became upset. She then saw a woman approaching from the other side of the road, the appeared nosey and wanted to be involved.

“She said ‘a man has no right to hit a woman’ but when Ms Pearce told her everything ok, the defendant became assertive and told her ‘it’s none of your business’.

“Ms Pearce then remembers seeing the defendant with a bottle in her hand and with her arm extended; she told her to put it down then remembers it hitting her head.

“She instantly felt liquid on her arm and head, saying ‘Oh my god, she’s bottled me’. She went back to the pub to tell someone, then saw the defendant coming round the corner shouting, and she swung a punch, which connected with her head. She was swearing and shouting.

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“The victim suffered a cut to her head and a swollen bottom lip. She attended the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital but left before seeing medical staff.”

Mrs Tench said a restraining order had been requested by Ms Pearce.

Representing Ryder, of Rhiwhiriaeth Ganol, Llanfair Caereinion, Huw Williams said: “She is a mother of three with an exemplary record.

“She’s reflected on what happened and shown some remorse, despite the not guilty plea at trial. She says she didn’t use the bottle at trial, but now says she doesn’t remember.

“She and her husband run a 300-acre sheep farm and times are tough. She was given a good character direction yesterday and it is highly unlikely you will see her in a court again. This has been a salutary lesson for her.”

Regarding the request for the restraining order, Mr Williams said: “Restraining orders should only be made if there’s a need to protect the person. The victim and defendant are total strangers, there is no ongoing contact.

“(The family) are hard-working farmers, they turned a profit of only £11,000 last year. Life’s pretty tough financially, so I ask the court to take into consideration her ability to pay any fines.

“She accepts that compensation has to be paid for the injuries suffered, even though we don’t have a victim impact statement. But we know there was a cut to the head and lip, this is relatively minimal compared to the force of bottle used.”

Magistrates also heard from probation officer Julian Davies, who said: “Mrs Ryder tells me she and her husband had gone out around 7.30pm to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

“She had consumed 10 bottles of Budweiser and was merry. As they were leaving she heard an argument and went over to try and de-escalate it.

“She tried to get a male away from the situation, but he became argumentative towards her and she reacted badly. She is unable to recall events clearly. She didn’t remember hitting the victim with the bottle but admits she shouldn’t have got involved and regrets doing so.

“She is a full-time mother and she helps on the farm. She says she is a social drinker who doesn’t usually drink to excess. She has no convictions recorded against her.”

Magistrates jailed Ryder for 26 weeks, but suspended the period for 24 months. They also said she had to comply with a 12-month community order which includes completing 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, she must pay a contribution towards costs of £320 and pay Ms Pearce £300 compensation. She also has to pay a £128 surcharge.

The chair of the bench, told Ryder: “We hear you are remorseful and of good character so even though this has passed the custody threshold, we won’t be sending you to prison today.

“We have been lenient because of your remorse and good character, but we are also mindful that someone did get injured.”