Ex-Playboy model sentenced for assault

(GETTY IMAGES)

A former Playboy Model of the Year will be sentenced today after being convicted of attacking a woman in a nightclub toilet cubicle in a jealous row over her husband.

Louise Glover, 27, struck Maxine Hardcastle's head against a toilet rim up to 10 times and tried to push her head down the lavatory.

Miss Hardcastle - the daughter of 80s musician Paul Hardcastle - was left covered in blood and suffered hair loss, facial bruising and scratches to her arms and legs.

Glover was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a trial at Hove Crown Court in December last year.

The St Helens-born pin-up launched her vicious attack after accusing Miss Hardcastle of looking at her husband during a night out in Brighton, East Sussex.

Glover, who has made semi-naked appearances in magazines and newspapers, turned on Miss Hardcastle after telling her and friend Nancy Stillwell: "I know what you Essex girls are like."

Miss Hardcastle and Miss Stillwell were invited by Glover to a personal appearance she was making at a sports bar on December 15, 2007.

Their 10-strong party moved on in the early hours of the following morning to the Oceana nightclub where Miss Hardcastle and Miss Stillwell went into the same toilet cubicle together.

Glover was heard outside and was let in by the other two women, but became agitated and accused them of looking at her husband, from whom she is now estranged.

While all three women were inside the cubicle, Glover - who was dressed in a pink Santa outfit - spilt an alcopop drink down Miss Stillwell's dress.

She left to dry her dress on a hand-dryer, leaving Glover and Miss Hardcastle alone inside.

But the court heard Glover quickly turned angry again, prompting Miss Hardcastle to try to placate her by telling her they would talk matters over when she was sober.

Miss Hardcastle broke down at points during her evidence as she said the trigger for the attack came after she told Glover: "This is all messed up."

At that point, she said Glover lifted up her arm and forcefully brought it down on her nose, causing her to hit her head on the back of the cubicle.

Miss Hardcastle said she "pleaded" with Glover to stop but she continued her attack.

Holding her by her neck, Glover repeatedly hit her head against the rim of the lavatory and afterwards tried to force her head down the toilet bowl.

The attack stopped after Glover's husband was heard outside the cubicle, telling her to calm down. But Glover replied: "Tell her to get off me first."

Glover told the court she acted in self-defence after Miss Hardcastle became emotional about apparent family problems and gripped her arms tightly.

She claimed Miss Hardcastle became "hysterical" after accusing her of not listening to her problems.

Glover, whose last UK address was Audley Gardens, Loughton, Essex, claimed the further injuries Miss Hardcastle sustained were as a result of the cubicle door being kicked in.

The model, who is on conditional bail, will be sentenced from 10am.