A WOMAN said to have carried out a bar room attack in a jealous rage was today (Tuesday October 14) told she may be facing a prison sentence.

The warning was issued to Justine Miskell after a jury convicted her of assaulting another woman in a busy Durham pub/lounge on Saturday November 9 last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that the incident took place shortly after the other woman, who was at the front of the bar queue in a crowded Jimmy Allen’s, on Elvet Bridge, agreed to a request by Miskell’s boyfriend to buy him two drinks.

The woman, a former work colleague of a friend of Miskell’s boyfriend, handed over the bottles and was given payment by him.

But a short time later, after returning to talk to friends from Stanley on a 21st birthday celebration, she described being attacked “out of the blue” by a woman with long blond hair.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said there were varying accounts of what took place, but it appeared that the assailant grabbed her and they went to the floor, where she was struck several times.

Door staff and fellow drinkers stepped in to separate the women, but Miskell made off and when she was arrested later nearby, her dress was bloodstained and she was barefoot.

She claimed she reacted after her hair was grabbed by someone and she lashed out, before other people intervened.

The victim was treated at hospital for a gash above her left eye, which required five stitches, plus other cuts and bruises.

Miskell, 26, of James Street, Kip Hill, Stanley, denied a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

She said she had been out for a meal with her boyfriend in Lanchester before they came into Durham.

Although she admitted arguing with the other woman, she could not recall what it was about, but denied that it was in “jealousy” over her buying drinks for her boyfriend.

The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on the second day of the trial today.

Following the verdict, the court was told she has a previous offence of drink driving on her record, but no other convictions.

Her barrister, Tony Davis, requested preparation of a background probation report on Miskell, prior to sentence.

Agreeing, Recorder Jeremy Hill-Baker said: “This was an unpleasant attack, causing a nasty injury, which has left some residual scarring.

“It’s very much on a knife-edge if it’s going to be custody. All sentencing options remain open.”

Miskell was bailed to return for sentence on November 7.