A WOMAN scarred for life after a stiletto attack has told how a Halloween fancy dress party ended in real horror at the hands of Alice in Wonderland.

Amy Davidson is reminded every day she looks in the mirror of the time she suffered life-changing injuries.

Her drunken attacker Frances Drury avoided prison even though a judge said: "It may be that the victim will not approve."

Drury - dressed in an Alice in Wonderland costume - attacked two 'Batman villains', Teesside Crown Court heard.

Her outfit was flecked with real blood when she kicked Amy - dressed as Harley Quinn - in the face with her stiletto heel, leaving a gash from her lip upwards.

The 26-year-old was saved by boyfriend Darren Knight, 46, who was dressed as The Joker, but only after sustaining a wound needing 17 stitches and plastic surgery.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Drury has profound physical and mental health problems and also has a problem with alcohol and that her actions were due to a combination of her medication and binge drinking.

The judge, Recorder Ben Nolan, QC, told Drury, who admitted unlawful wounding and common assault: "It was a kick with a stiletto, which is the equivalent of a weapon, on your victim, who was prone at the time.

"I have seen a number of reports and it is clear you have problems of various sorts. I am very aware of the sort of difficulties these problems can cause, so on balance I think it is right I suspend the custodial sentence.

The mayhem broke out last Halloween after a fancy dress night at the Tap and Spile pub in Guisborough.

Amy, who is a pub manager, had enjoyed a similar night at her own Middlesbrough premises before she and Darren went to the east Cleveland market town, where Darren runs the door staff.

At the end of the night, Drury, 43, refused to leave and Darren and other doormen removed her outside, where she lay in wait until 3am.

As the couple emerged to go home, Drury flew at them, landing several punches on Darren and when Amy tried to intervene she was kicked in the face by a screaming Drury.

Amy said: "It had been a really fun night, everyone was in fancy dress and getting into the spirit of it, but she was trying to ruin it for everyone by getting aggressive.

"Darren and the doormen removed her and she was determined to get her own back so she waited outside.

"As soon as I felt her foot connect with me the blood started to pour down my face. There was a flash of pain but I had no idea how badly injured I was and wanted to go home.

"Darren took one look at me and said, 'We need to get you to a hospital'.

"When I saw the wound I was horrified, it was a deep slash from my lip up my face and I knew I'd be scarred for life. I had 17 stitches at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough but I still need plastic surgery later this year.

"It's a reminder of that night that I'll have for the rest of my life and it's had a massive effect on me.

"People say that when I have make-up on they can barely see it, but it's the first thing I see when I look at myself. I'm now nervous in rowdy situations and don't go out as much, I'm generally much less confident.

"When she was coming to court the CPS lawyer said to expect her to get around two-and-a-half years. I couldn't believe it when she walked away free.

"The judge was sold a sob story and he believed it. He got one thing right at least - I definitely don't approve, she should be in jail."

Darren, who also runs a car body shop said: "I've seen a lot working on the doors but that was the most vicious thing I've ever witnessed."

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said Drury lashed out at Darren, punching him to the head two or three times.

When Amy intervened, she was punched and dragged to the floor, and as Drury was pulled away, her stiletto-shod foot caught her face.

“She’s clearly drunk and aggressive, and throws a shoe after the taxi,” Ms Haigh added.

Drury, of Harris Walk, Guisborough, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and a restraining order which bans her from going near the couple or either of the pubs.

Michael Bosomworth, defending, said she suffers from a number of physical and mental health difficulties, but refuses to accept she has a problem with alcohol.

He told the court: "This is a tragic case all ways around.

"It is tragic because this lady has been left with a scar which is going to trouble her for the rest of her life.

"It is tragic because it is clear the defendant, who appears before you, is a deeply damaged middle-aged lady, who has profound physical and mental health problems which would make it difficult for her in custody.

"She needs help, but she needs to take help, and be open with those who try to help her.

"Miss Drury stoutly refuses to accept she has got an alcohol problem, because she doesn't want to be referred to as an alcoholic, because many of her friends have gone down that route.

"This was a result of binge-drinking and the medication she had taken."

Judge Nolan told Drury: "For the next two years at least you will have to be very, very careful, particularly around alcohol."