A WOMAN accused of blinding her best friend in an stiletto stamping attack told police: "I really have no idea how it happened."

Melissa Causer offered various explanations - a ring or a fall - but said she could not be certain how Sophie Robinson was injured.

Miss Robinson, 20, from North Yorkshire, lost her right eye during a row about a taxi fare outside of her friend's home in Darlington.

The prosecution at Teesside Crown court say Miss Causer deliberately stamped on her pal's face as she lay prone on the ground.

A jury has heard claims that one stamp landed above her left eye, another hit the side of her head, and the third pierced her eyeball.

In an interview with detectives, Miss Causer, 21, said the pair had been punching each other after falling out over money.

She insisted Miss Robinson pulled her from a taxi by her hair extensions before they started brawling in the early hours of January 11.

She described it as "a cat fight" and told officers after she was cautioned: "I didn't mean for it to happen. It got out of hand. I'm sorry."

Miss Causer said both she and her friend had their shoes off when they were fighting, and Miss Robinson may have fallen on one.

She maintained that she had never stamped on her face and had at no time picked up one of the stilettos and struck out with it.

When asked if she thought she caused the injury, she replied: "Well, I'm not going to lie. I don't think it's come from anywhere else, but I haven't deliberately . . . I do feel really awful because it was my friend."

After further questioning, the care worker went on: "I wouldn't say I have a temper, I let things just go over my head.

"Obviously with my job, I have to think of my job and the consequences for that.

"I think I've just maybe, I've got a bit angry, but I haven't been angry that to the point I just want to beat her up. I haven't got angry intentionally to do that.

"I think it's just I've been shocked and maybe a little bit angry at the same time of having a fight, but I feel really guilty."

The prosecution case is that Miss Causer felled her friend from behind, pinned her down in her back, repeatedly punched her and stamped on her.

The defendant, of Browns Buildings, Middleton-St-George, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent and grievous bodily harm.

Her defence case is expected to start on Monday.