Collette Hanchard, 55, has been jailed for four years and 11 months after plunging a smashed gin glass into her friend's face in an unprovoked attack. Hanchard pleaded guilty to aggravated assault at the High Court in Glasgow.
Attack Details
On June 14, 2024, Hanchard visited Frances McKay at her home in Hamilton. The two women, who were friends, spent the evening in the back garden chatting and listening to music. Around midnight, Hanchard said she had called a taxi and went to use the toilet, clutching a green-stemmed gin glass.
Prosecutor David Fisken told the court: 'Hanchard was away for two to three minutes while Frances remained in the outhouse. Frances then heard glass smashing. Hanchard came to the door of the outhouse, took a large step towards the victim, who felt a terrible pain to the left side of her face and neck.'
Frances covered her face and crouched, but Hanchard threw her right hand again, causing extreme pain to the front of her face. Frances managed to escape and called for her husband, Anthony McKay, who was upstairs. He found her holding her neck, blood pouring out, and she said: 'She has been attacking me.'
Aftermath and Injuries
Anthony grabbed a towel to help his wife and ordered Hanchard to leave. However, Hanchard returned to the outhouse 'as if nothing had happened.' Anthony physically removed her and threw her onto the street. Hanchard then left in a taxi.
Frances was rushed to hospital with severe injuries to her cheek, ear, lip, and neck. She was discharged on June 16. The court heard that without treatment, she could have died from bleeding or infection. Frances now has extensive permanent scarring and loss of feeling down the left side of her neck and behind her ear.
Messages and Guilty Plea
After the attack, Hanchard sent Facebook messages and voicemails to Frances. In one text, she wrote: 'Hi Frances - what happened last night. I can't remember a thing. Cut finger, blood everywhere. I'm really sorry if I've done something cause your a really good friend xxx.' In a voicemail hours after the crime, she said she woke up with 'blood everywhere' and asked for help.
Hanchard later told police she had no memory of the attack but recalled being asked to leave. She pleaded guilty to assault causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and danger of life.
Sentencing
Judge Alistair Watson sentenced Hanchard to four years and 11 months, reduced from six and a half years due to her guilty plea. He said: 'The woman has been left with extensive and visible scarring. The victim impact statement sets out in detail the physical injury suffered. It also speaks of the life changing effect the attack has had on her. The psychological harm is massive.'
Defence lawyer Rhonda Anderson said: 'The woman before the court is wholly disgusted by her actions. She is bereft about what she has done and recognises that she has to be punished.'
