A DRUNKEN mother of four thumped a stranger with heel of her boot in an unprovoked attack outside a pub and left him scarred for life.

The drama happened after the victim, John Magee stepped in to help a friend who had become embroiled in a row outside a pub.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Leigh Thompson approached the group with her arms outstretched and carrying a boot in both hands.

The vicious assault she unleashed was captured on a security camera as Thompson lashed out with her right shoe, hitting Mr Magee on the forehead.

Daily Echo:

The court heard how the attack happened at 2am outside the Litten Tree pub in Eastleigh town centre, where Mr Magee had been socialising with friends.

Prosecutor Dawn Hyland then played a copy of the vicious assault which showed Thompson run off after delivering the blow.

The video, which can be watched at dailyecho.co.uk showed how blood began pouring from his face and Mr Magee had to receive treatment at Southampton General Hospital for a 6cm gash before being discharged.

Daily Echo:

On being arrested, Thompson made an abusive remark that she couldn't care, and claimed to officers that she had hit him after he had gone to punch her.

However, the footage showed otherwise, said Ms Hyland.

In an impact statement, Mr Magee said as a result of the assault he had missed a week's work and he had been left with a permanent two inch scar in the centre of his forehead.

He said: "I am just thankful that the blow did not strike my eyes as I am in no doubt that I would have lost my sight.

"I do not socialise or see friends in Eastleigh as often as I did. I just feel it is not worth the hassle or risk of being assaulted."

Ms Hyland then said Mr Magee had been "generous" towards Thompson.

He had told police: "I believe on one hand that she should go to prison for her actions as no person deserves to be struck in the face with a shoe heel.

"But as the the person responsible is an older female and probably has a family to care for, she should be allowed to be with them but do a lot of service to the community and have help for her anger which worried me at the time."

Thompson, 32, of Mayfield Road, Gosport, admitted causing actual bodily harm and received a 12 month suspended sentence with 18 months supervision.

The court was told it was the second time she had hit out at a man with a shoe. In 2009 she pleaded guilty to battery and was given a six month community order.

Daily Echo:

Judge Nicholas Rowland told Thompson that the only reason he was giving her an immediate prison sentence was because of Mr Magee's generous comments.

"You have four children in your care but you were out in public acting in a disgraceful manner. This is your last opportunity."

In mitigation, Chris Gaiger said Thompson pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had kept out of trouble since the incident in November.

"She accepts full responsibility for what happened and there was no provocation. She was heavily intoxicated."

He said Thompson had been recently been diagnosed with cancer and had been prescribed medication for a number of issues including mood stabilisers.