A woman has been jailed after violently assaulting a woman in a pub in an unprovoked attack.

Louisa Lyons, 40, of Buckhurst Road in Peacehaven, headbutted her victim before “smashing her face into the floor”. She was also seen arming herself with a fire extinguisher during the attack.

Her victim, Nicola Butson, suffered “significant facial injuries” during the incident including a broken nose which required multiple stitches.

Mrs Butson, 39, said: “I remember turning round and [Lyons] was coming at us with a fire extinguisher."

“She then headbutted me and I fell on all fours. She then grabbed my head and smashed my face into the floor.”

CCTV footage from the event showed Lyons picking up the fire extinguisher from the wall as well as grabbing her victim by the hair and smashing her face into the floor of the pub.

Lyons told the court she had been taking prescription drugs, including anti-depressants, and had gone to the pub with a friend for the evening.

The Argus: Telscombe Tavern in PeacehavenTelscombe Tavern in Peacehaven

The incident occurred after Lyons is said to have been "bumping into" Mrs Butson and her husband. Michael Butson is said to have asked her to stop and a dispute then happened between Mr Butson and a man that Lyons was with.

Lyons was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. She had previously admitted to the lesser charge of grievous bodily harm.

Detective Inspector Sophie McGarel, of Sussex Police, said: “This was a vicious, unprovoked attack on a woman who was just trying to enjoy a drink at her local pub.

“Lyons attempted to deny responsibility for the assault, but thanks to the investigative work of our officers, support of the victim and some key witnesses, we were able to secure a conviction and take a violent offender off the streets.”

The Argus: Louisa Lyons, 40, was sentenced to four and a half years in prisonLouisa Lyons, 40, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison (Image: Sussex Police)

Lyons was sentenced to four and a half years in prison following the assault which took place in the Telscombe Tavern in Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven on August 17, 2019. Appearing at Hove Crown Court on Friday, October 14, she will also serve a further three years of her sentence on lisence.