Man jailed after attacking woman with champagne bottle at bar in London's Soho
28 March 2024, 14:25 | Updated: 28 March 2024, 15:31
A man has been jailed after hitting a woman over the head with a champagne bottle at a bar.
William Hilton also went on to punch victim Gemma Scott during the incident at Zebrano in Soho, central London, in May 2022.
He was sentenced to five years in prison with a three years' extended licence period at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.
The 37-year-old of Pinner, northwest London, was convicted in February of wounding with intent following a trial.
The court heard Hilton hit Ms Scott over the head with a bottle of Taittinger champagne after she insulted one of his sisters.
Ms Scott had been to the theatre with a friend before going to the Greek Street bar where they fell into conversation with Hilton and his two sisters - and an argument followed.
"(Hilton) picked up a bottle...from a bucket with ice and he is seen to hit the victim over the head with the bottle, the bottom of the bottle appearing to connect with her scalp," prosecutor Terence Woods said.
The bottle did not smash but fell out of Hilton's hand, the court heard.
Mr Woods continued: "He then punches the victim at least once and is seen trying to punch her again.
"She goes to the floor of the bar where it seems she is unconscious."
Ms Scott suffered a cut to her scalp and a cut above her eyebrow.
Hilton was apprehended by security staff and later arrested by police.
The court heard he gave police a prepared statement in which he said he did not remember hitting anyone with a bottle and "would do no such thing".
In a victim personal statement read out by Mr Woods, Ms Scott described being "scared" as a result of the incident which she said has made her "think twice" about going out.
"There will be a permanent scar above her left eyebrow which she says is an everyday reminder of the incident," the prosecutor said.
Recorder Mathew Gullick KC said the victim's behaviour was not threatening and told Hilton: "Your violence was unprovoked and unjustified."
He said: "You became angry as a result of the abusive comments made to your sister by Gemma Scott and decided to exact retribution by taking matters into your own hands."
The court heard Hilton had previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault committed in September 2016 in a nightclub in Harrow, Greater London.
The judge said Hilton choked one man and punched another, giving him a black eye and knocking out some teeth during that incident.
(c) Sky News 2024: Man jailed after attacking woman with champagne bottle at bar in London's Soho
