A WOMAN smashed a glass in a partygoer's face during a catfight.

Elaine Spence, 48, struck victim Shannon Clarke with the tumbler, which shattered on impact, as the pair battled in a house in Clackmannan.

Falkirk Sheriff Court was told yesterday that the incident occurred at about 5am on April 3 last year.

Graham McLachlan, prosecuting, said: "It appears the complainer in the case had been out that day drinking alcohol, and she ended up at a house where there was a party going on.

"By 5am, most of the people at the party had left, but the accused and the complainer were still there.

"There's a suggestion the accused wanted the complainer to leave. There'd been some bad blood between them in the early hours, and both of them became engaged in fighting with each other.

"The accused had in her hand a glass, which in the course of the fight struck the complainer, smashed on impact, and when examined later there was a six centimetre laceration under the complainer's right eye."

Mr McLachlan said Spence's victim left and was found by police later. She was "initially reluctant" to get involved with officers, but eventually made a statement and was taken to hospital where she had 16 stitches.

Seen by police again in December, she was still visibly scarred.

Spence, of Schaw Court, Sauchie, denied assault, but pleaded guilty on indictment to the lesser charge of engaging in a fight at the house in North Vennel, Clackmannan, that left Ms Clarke severely injured and permanently disfigured. The Crown accepted her plea.

Kelly Howe, defending, said she recognised that the court would need background reports.

Sheriff John Mundy deferred sentence for a Criminal Justice Social Work report until March 3, and continued bail.