Ex-stripper guilty of ABH after calling rival ‘glass-eyed prostitute’ and battering her

A former stripper who attacked a rival with a jug during an ugly brawl at a lapdancing club has been found guilty of ABH.

Yvonne McDermid left Cheryl Hanrahan scarred for life after the attack, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

The rivals threw drinks over each other and pulled at each other’s hair in the fracas, before McDermid, 36, punched Miss Hanrahan before striking her on the side of the face with the jug.

The victim suffered cuts and bruises to her face and later slumped unconscious at the Wiggle Gentleman’s Club in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Miss Hanrahan, 45, was treated in hospital for her injuries and has been left scarred for life.

McDermid denied a charge of causing actual bodily harm and said she had acted in self defence.

But she was found guilty following a trial and will be sentenced at a later date.

Both women had previously worked as exotic dancers at Wiggle but had a bitter falling out with each other.

On the night of August 26, 2018, they had been out with friends but bumped into each other at Eden bar.

Miss Hanrahan, who wears a glass eye from a childhood accident, said: “We used to be friends but she could be vindictive.

“Earlier that night I had seen her in the toilets at Eden and she called me a ‘glass eyed prostitute’.”

The jury heard Miss Hanrahan, who now works as a beautician, poured her drink over McDermid’s legs in response.

Later that evening both women ended up in Wiggle.

Miss Hanrahan said: “I was in Wiggle with my friends and after dancing with them I sat down I was maybe four or five paces from her.

“She shouted over to me not to sit at the table.

“I didn’t want to cause trouble but I didn’t see why I should move.

“The next thing I felt a lot of liquid being poured over me and being smashed in the face.”

Witness Anthony Wilson said: “Cheryl was looking at Yvonne with a smug look and it felt like she was trying to antagonise her.

“Yvonne said f*** off I don’t want you here.

“Cheryl shrugged her shoulders so Yvonne picked up a jug containing orange juice and poured it over her.

“Cheryl went towards her in retaliation and Yvonne punched her in the head three times.

“They were both pulling each other’s hair and Cheryl was bleeding from her face.”

McDermid, from Bournemouth, admitted pouring orange juice over Miss Hanrahan but denied throwing the jug at her.

She said: “I did pour the orange juice over her because she was coming at me over the table.

“In that moment I thought ‘she threw a drink at me earlier so I’ll throw one at her now.

“I didn’t throw the jug at her – I just dropped it to get it out of my hand.

“We both had hold of each others’ hair and ended up fighting on the floor.

“I don’t see how a plastic jug could cause those injuries.”

After the guilty verdict Miss Hanrahan said: “I am really happy, to tell the truth I am ecstatic.

“It has been a really hard time for me and I hope she is given a strong sentence.

“I would also like to think that this verdict may prompt her to take a look at herself and address some of her anger issues.”

McDermid will be sentenced next month.