Glass attack victim's anger at police

Police have been slammed by a licensee after a customer who smashed a glass in her face escaped with a caution.

Jean Rowe, from the Rose and Crown, in Rushden, Northamptonshire, said the man became aggravated after she asked him to leave.

"He had had too much to drink and was bothering the other customers.

"When he asked me for another drink, I said no and told him to go home. He then picked up a glass and said 'is this yours, then have it."

The force of the attack threw Jean to the ground, leaving her with a cut hand and a swollen cheekbone.

"I was absolutely shocked. I have been in the trade for a long time and I have dealt with a lot of nasty situations but I can't believe somebody could do that."

She added it was only by chance her eye was not badly damaged.

"I was wearing glasses and I normally wear contact lenses. Luckily the lenses took most of the impact."

But Jean claims police failed to take statements from witnesses following the attack on February 27 and that the man only received a caution because she had not been seriously hurt.

Jean said the incident has left her traumatised and terrified at work.

"Licensees have always thought they had a certain amount of respect. I know we can't expect to be protected 24 hours a day but you do expect if somebody assaults you that that they will be charged."

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: "I understand Mrs Rowe is not very happy with the outcome of her complaint and since this has come to the attention the local Safer Community Team, we have sought a review of the incident.

"Unfortunately we are unable to change the outcome and perhaps there are lessons that can be learned for the future about incidents of this kind."