A barmaid who attacked a clubber in a drunken rage the day her drinking ban ran out has been given a 16-week suspended sentence.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Miller launched the attack while on the dancefloor of the Fiction nightclub in Romford. Pic: KEN MEARSMiller launched the attack while on the dancefloor of the Fiction nightclub in Romford. Pic: KEN MEARS (Image: Archant)

Katie Miller of Drake Close, Barking, inflicted bruising to the stranger’s right eye after smacking her in the face on the dancefloor at the Cameo 80s night at Fiction nightclub in Havana Close, Romford, in the early hours of March 31.

Officers took Miller to hospital following her arrest where she then fired off a string of abuse at staff trying to help her following her unprovoked attack, Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday (June 5).

The injured woman said in a statement read in court she had no idea why Miller punched her and could no longer walk around Romford without feeling worried about her safety.

The 19-year-old accepted responsibility but had no memory of the attack or why she did it, the court heard.

Miller felt she wasn’t dependent on alcohol but admitted binge drinking vodka on nights out.

However, magistrates heard she had committed a string of offences while drunk and had two community orders for “similar offences” in the past – including one which ended the day of the attack.

Defending, Ruhena Parker said Miller was a “softly-spoken, meek young lady” who would be happy to stay out of Romford and not enter pubs or clubs in Havering as punishment.

Miller had “personal issues” that had caused mental health problems, she said.

Magistrates said the suspended jail sentence was fitting as it was her third offence and she had previously been convicted of assaulting a police officer and nightclub bouncer.

They knocked eight weeks off her sentence because she pleaded guilty, but warned if she committed another offence in the next 18 months she would go to jail.She was handed a 20 day rehabilitation order and 80 hours community service.

She has to be fitted with an alcohol tag for 70 days to monitor her drinking. She has to pay £85 costs, a £115 victim surcharge and £150 compensation.