A KARAOKE singer took exception to comments about her performance at a workingmen’s club, a court heard.

Mandy Hogarth was returning to her seat after finishing a number during the karaoke night, at the Empire Club, in Stanley, when a nearby member of the audience was heard to say: “Don’t give up your day job.”

Durham Crown Court was told her response was to deliver a single blow to the man’s face, while holding a glass.

Liam O’Brien, said the victim, “a friend of a friend”, suffered a 7cm laceration to his right cheek and a smaller cut to his right ear.

Mr O’Brien said although the injured man received hospital treatment at the time, and returned for a further referral almost a week later, he faces further plastic surgery, but could be permanently scarred.

In a victim statement he described feeling very self-conscious when working in public or being out socially, while he said his mother was horrified about her son’s scarred appearance.

The 43-year-old defendant, of Durham Road, Stanley, admitted unlawful wounding, arising from the incident, on Friday March 11.

Lorraine Mustard, mitigating, handed in two character testimonials and told the court her reaction was “wholly out of character”.

Miss Mustard told the hearing: “She was intoxicated, but she’s not saying she was so intoxicated that she can’t remember the incident.

“But, it happened so quickly, she is unable to explain what she was doing, and whether she intended to just throw her drink over him.

“She can’t recollect the specific details, but she would say his (the victim’s) behaviour was somewhat provocative, although she does not advance that as an excuse for her behaviour.”

Judge Simon Hickey said he accepted it was not her usual conduct and that she appears genuinely remorseful.

He imposed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a 20-day probation-supervised rehabilitation requirement.

Hogarth must also pay the victim £1,000 compensation, plus a £100 court surcharge.