A VICTIM has described top judges' decision to refuse an appeal to jail a mother-of-five whose glassing attack victim could have died as 'absolutely disgraceful'.

Kelly Abbott, of Redpoll Lane, Birchwood, was handed a suspended two-year sentence at Chester Crown Court on March 18.

The 37-year-old admitted wounding with intent and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and given a six-month curfew from 9pm to 7am.

But the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, referred the sentence to London's Criminal Court of Appeal claiming it was far too 'lenient'.

As previously reported in the Warrington Guardian, Abbott went to Cromwell's Bar, Bridge Street, on July 12 last year.

The care home worker was seen on CCTV dancing and at about 1.25am the following morning, she danced backwards into the victim.

The mum-of-two was celebrating a colleague's 50th birthday and was standing by a pillar sipping a glass of wine.

The collision was 'accidental' said the judge, but an 'exchange' began between the two women.

"There came a point when Abbott appeared to make a grab for the wine glass," said the judge.

"Having wrestled it free, she used her right arm to propel it into the left side of the victim's face."

She was cut and there was 'profuse bleeding' due to an important artery being punctured.

The court heard had it not been for the prompt attention of door staff and the medical team at the hospital, the victim could have died.

During police interview Abbott was shown the CCTV footage and said she 'could not believe what she was seeing'.

Her 'state of mind' when she attacked her victim had been affected by a combination of anti-depressants and alcohol, the court heard.

Previously of good character, she has stopped drinking since the attack and a pre-sentence report highlighted the 'unforeseeable' impact on her two youngest children if their mum was jailed.

Mr Wright's lawyers argued that she should have been put behind bars but Lord Justice Pitchford said experienced judge Nicholas Woodward faced a 'difficult decision'.

He added while the sentence could be viewed as 'generous', judge Woodward 'was entitled to conclude that Abbott's behaviour post offence was deserving of substantial recognition'.

The judge added: "We are unable to conclude that the sentence in this case was clearly wrong or unduly lenient.

"We will not interfere with the sentence imposed."

Speaking after the hearing, the victim said she had hoped the appeal would lead to the 'justice she deserved'.

She added: "As an innocent victim I feel that the British justice system is a disgrace.

"To receive a non-custodial sentence for nearly killing someone is shocking.

"I really hope my attacker can sleep at night knowing that she nearly killed me and left my children without a mum.

"No wonder crime has risen in the UK, you can obviously cause someone life-threatening injuries and walk away from court.

"My faith in the British justice system has totally vanished and I hope no-one else has to go through the pain and anguish I've suffered and still am."