Peacehaven woman headbutted victim and 'smashed her face into pub floor'

Louisa Lyons, of Buck Hurst Road, Telscombe Cliffs, is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Nicola Butson on August 17, 2019.

When asked to describe the events on the evening of August 17 by Gareth Burrows, prosecuting, Mrs Butson said she and her husband, Michael, were dancing in a small area near the bar in the Telscombe Tavern, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven.

“This woman kept bumping into us all night,” said Mrs Butson, who gave her evidence from behind a screen. “My husband spoke to her and asked her to stop.”

Mrs Butson said there was then a dispute between her husband and another man who was with Lyons.

“I remember turning round and [Lyons] was coming at us with a fire extinguisher,” she said. “She then headbutted me and I fell on all fours. She then grabbed my head and smashed my face into the floor.”

Louisa Lyons is on trial at Hove Crown Court

The jury at Hove Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of Lyons taking the fire extinguisher from the wall of the pub before returning with it to the dancefloor. Footage then shows Lyons grabbing Mrs Butson by the hair and smashing her face into the floor of the pub.

The jury was told that Mrs Butson was later taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where she received six stitches to lacerations on her face.

Michael Butson told the court he had asked Lyons to “stop bumping” into his wife.

When asked by Mr Burrows to describe the demeanour of Lyons when he spoke to her, Mr Butson told the jury she was “very hostile”.

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Questioned by Beverley Cherrill, defending, Lyons told the court she had no recollection of attacking the woman but had admitted the lesser offence of causing grievous bodily harm when she was shown the CCTV footage.

Lyons told the court she had been taking prescription drugs, including anti-depressants, and had gone to the pub with a friend for the evening.

She said a man in the pub had bought her a drink and she had left it on the bar before going to the toilet.

When asked by Mr Burrows in cross-examination if she was suggesting her drink had been spiked , she replied: “I don’t know. I had a drink and the last thing I remember is dancing.”

Lyons repeatedly told the prosecutor that she admitted causing grievous bodily harm but denies intent.

Mr Burrows said: “I put it to you that when you headbutted that lady in the face and pushed her face to the floor you knew what you were doing.”

The trial, before the Recorder, Mr Alan Gardner QC, continues.