A JUDGE has told a woman how she avoided jail by ‘a short margin’ after glassing a former friend at a town centre night spot.

Ex-pals Caroline Pattison and Dionne Lord had fallen out after having a relationship with the same man, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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Pattison, 35, was even given a police caution for damaging a wing mirror in Miss Lord’s car in 2012, it was revealed.

But the pair avoided each other afterwards until they met accidentally at the Rum Jungle last July, the court heard.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said Pattison was dancing at the venue when she deliberately ‘nudged’ Miss Lord.

This led to an argument between the pair, with Miss Lord telling her former friend to ‘grow up’ and leave her alone.

She was turning to walk away from Pattison when, without warning she lunged towards her with her glass in her hand, said Mr Parker.

The court heard the glass smashed across the side of Miss Lord’s face, causing a wound which would eventually require nine stitches and may have resulted in a permanent scar.

One of Miss Lord’s friends witnessed the incident and pulled the attacker away. Pattison ran off from the scene but was arrested later.

When interviewed by police Pattison claimed she had been defending herself after feeling threatened.

Pattison, of Bamburgh Drive, Burnley, who had no previous criminal convictions, admitted unlawfully wounding.

Bunty Batra, defending, said the defendant and the victim in the case had both been involved in a relationship with the same man, which had led to their falling out.

Mr Batra said: “This offence is out of character and a one-off incident. She clearly regrets what she has done..

But Judge Andrew Woolman said: “By the shortest of margins I have decided I am not going to imprison you but I can tell you it was a close-run thing.”

Pattison was given an 18-month prison term, suspended for two years and was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to Miss Lord.