A mum-to-be who glassed a woman in a town centre pub, leaving her permanently scarred, has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Charlotte Wheeler lashed out at her victim during the booze-fuelled incident at the Parson's Nose in Melksham in the early hours of Saturday, February 9.

And the 28-year-old shop worker's victim said she believed she had had been singled out for the violence because she was an 'outsider' from out of town.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Jodie Tadhunter, from Corsham, had gone to the pub when visiting old friend Martin Smith.

While they were in the pub she said she noticed Wheeler and pal Tanya Silk, who were acquaintances of Mr Smith, stood in her way as she went to the dance floor.

Miss Hingston said shortly after midnight there was some sort of confrontation where the defendant was pushed.

Wheeler then used the glass she had been drinking from and struck mother-of-two Miss Tadhunter full in the face close to her right eye.

As a result of the blow she was left with a three centimetre long and half a centimetre wide gaping cut which had left a bad scar.

The victim told the police 'I didn't know her before that night but it was clear those two didn't like me. Because I was an outsider, not from Melksham, I was an easy target.'

She said she had a permanent reminder of the incident whenever she looked in the mirror and saw the scar.

Wheeler, of Pembroke Road, Melksham, admitted unlawful wounding.

Nick O'Brien, defending, said his client had lashed out in an instinctive manner and had not intended to cause the injury.

He said it was a single blow and she had shown remorse when she was questioned by the police saying she wished to apologise for what she had done.

Because she was expecting her first child in December he said she had dramatically changed her drinking habits and intended to carry that on after the birth.

He said she had held down a job for seven years and planned to go back, at least part-time, after her maternity leave.

Douglas Field imposed a 12-month jail term suspended for a year, put her on a three month curfew and ordered she do 80 hours of unpaid work.

She must also pay £300 compensation to Miss Tadhunter and £100 victim surcharge at £7 a week.