An MMA followed her ex-boyfriend's partner into a public toilet and lurked in wait before viciously attacking her.
Eleanor Wright, an MMA fighter trained in kick-boxing and Brazilian ju jitsu, rained blows down on the other woman in the women's bathroom of Fusion nightclub on Fleet Street, Liverpool, at around 7pm on November 26 last year.
CCTV footage showed the 29-year-old approaching her victim as she washed her hands. When the other woman turned to leave, Wright grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the floor before jumping on top of her and punching her repeatedly.
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She pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm at Liverpool Crown Court today, June 16.
Mr Taylor, prosecuting, told the court the victim had been attending a combat sports event at the nightclub when she heard a female voice ask "what's your name?" while she stood in the ground floor bathroom. She turned and saw Wright, whom she recognised from a picture on an MMA poster.
When the victim told Wright her name, Wright replied: "What do you mean, you little s**g?" She then attacked the other woman, causing cuts and bruises to her face and head.
The victim said: "She dragged me to the floor and started punching, kicking, kneeing and stratching me all over. I tried to block the blows and defend myself but she was really strong and it was so difficult."
The court heard that Wright, of Marmion Road, Liverpool, "had a problem" with the victim as she had previously been in a relationship with her boyfriend.
The victim added: "During the assault I felt frozen and very afraid. The toilets were empty and I didn't know if or when anybody would come to help me. I felt completely powerless and alone. I knew she was a purple belt in Brazilian ju jitsu and I had no fight in me to defend myself against a trained fighter.
"I was just hoping and waiting for someone to come into the toilets because it felt as though she had no intention of stopping. The ferocity of the attack made me fear for my life and I wondered how serious the injuries could be."
The attack was eventually broken up by several other women who entered the bathroom.
Miss Daley, defending, said Wright wanted to apologise to the victim for her actions. She said: "It's clear that she expresses genuine remorse. It's clear that, when she spoke with the probation service, she accepted responsibility for her actions. She's aware that her behaviour was wrong. She's embarrassed by her behaviour.
"She understands entirely how (the victim) must have felt on that day. She doesn't seek in any way to explain away why she did what she did. She accepts it was wrong and she lost control."
Addressing Wright, Recorder Michael Blakey said: "You grabbed (the victim) by the hair from behind and pulled her to the ground and set about punching her and using your knees as fighters do. You scratched her face. She was trying to defend herself as best she could, but you had lost your temper and you were setting about her in a manner that was disgraceful.
"Thankfully the injuries are not as bad as they could have been. However, that attack affected significantly the confidence of that young woman. She was very afraid during the attack, she didn't know whether it was going to stop, she knew your abilities as a fighter and she feared for her life."
He sentenced Wright to 12 months in prison, suspended for 16 months, and ordered her to carry out 30 rehabilitation days, and 60 hours of unpaid work.
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