Woman glassed love rival in the neck at boyfriend's funeral

A grieving girlfriend who got drunk and smashed a glass into a former love rival's neck during her boyfriend's funeral has narrowly avoided jail. Shannon Morgan, 27, was at a wake for boyfriend Royston Coates when she encountered Lisa Wilson, who once dated one of Morgan's previous partners.

But Crewe Magistrates' heard as the pair argued over a child being under a pool table as Morgan played with a friend, she pushed a glass into her face. Miss Wilson was left with a 3cm cut in her neck requiring stitches, only millimetres from her jugular vein. She now struggles with sleep and wakes up during the night in a panic.

Now mother-of-one Morgan, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, has admitted grievous bodily harm and handed a 12-month suspended sentence. She was also ordered to pay her victim £720 compensation and slapped with a restraining order.

Morgan was also ordered to complete 30 days of and wear an electronic 'sobriety' tag as part of a 120 day alcohol abstinence programme. She was further ordered to pay £154 in costs and victim surcharge.

Magistrate chair Tim Bakkers told her: "The attack was potentially life ending and the victim impact statement details some significant life changes that this lady has had to go through immediately after the incident.

"But we have also taken into account the circumstances of that evening, what that evening represented, your previous good character, and in particular your own personal circumstances."

The incident on 14th October 2024 came as the two women were at the Ivy Leaf pub to remember Mr Coates, who died the previous month aged just 32.

Prosecutor Scott Woodward said: "Miss Wilson and the defendant both know each other and there is a history of them not getting along.

"The defendant has been playing pool with a friend and child, and that child was observed under the pool table. Miss Wilson spoke to the defendant about this, not wanting the child to get hurt.

"But the defendant then accused Miss Wilson of dragging the child from under the table following which the women had an argument in the bar area.

"The defendant told Miss Wilson 'Just drop it, dickhead' and Miss Wilson turned to get a drink from the bar. As she has done this, the defendant has proceeded to smash a glass into the side of her neck or face.

"Miss Wilson had then looked down to see her clothes covered in blood. She sustained a wound to the neck. Miss Morgan ran outside."

The victim later explained: "I was told I was very lucky to be alive. The wound was millimetres from my jugular. To say I was scared would be an understatement. I still have nightmares.

"I missed two of my friends' 40th birthday parties. I became anxious about coming out to places.

"I did go to the gym daily before this attack but I have struggled to get myself back in it. I feel that my physical and mental health has been affected.

"Since the incident, my confidence has dropped massively. I feel anxious. I struggle sleeping. I wake up in the night panicking. I feel unsettled. I suffer from anxiety attacks. I have been prescribed medication which I take daily.

"I have now been left with a scar on my neck and I am reminded of this attack every time I see it."

CCTV of the incident from the bar was shown to the court. Morgan has her back to the camera and Miss Wilson can be seen holding what appears to be a gin glass in her left hand and looks to be remonstrating with her.

Wilson is gesticulating with her right hand and Morgan looks away as if not wanting to listen to what Wilson is saying. She then suddenly pushes the glass Wilson has in her hand towards her face. She then straight away leaves the bar.

Gabby Black, defending, said: "There is clear history between the two parties in relation to a male they had been in a relationship with at different times.

"The funeral was for the partner of Miss Morgan, someone she had only recently got involved in a relationship with and she was clearly emotional.

"There is the ongoing tension, issues with a relationship at a prior time and on the day of the funeral, Miss Wilson had actually made a comment that she did not want to speak to her.

"The facts read out are not exactly correct. Miss Wilson had not turned to get a drink when that glass hit her. It is clear both parties were having an argument at the time which was quite heated.

"The complainant was getting into Miss Morgan's face, pointing at her a lot.

"Clearly Miss Morgan should have just walked away, and avoided it any further but she simply pushed the glass into her face and it hit her neck and caused a cut.

"She should not have done that. She is extremely apologetic and remorseful for her actions.

"It was clearly exacerbated by the use of alcohol. Miss Morgan was honest that she'd had quite a few drinks that day which was very difficult to deal with. She just wanted Miss Wilson to get away from her."