Guest Repeatedly Smashed Gin Glass Into Host's Face

Gin Glass: Gumbrell

A female houseguest who “can’t expect mercy” for repeatedly smashing a gin glass into the face of the nurse host, avoided prison with a suspended sentence yesterday.

The female victim needed thirty stitches around her right eye and feels fortunate she has not lost her sight.

Lucy Gumbrell, 30, was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when she turned on nurse Fairlie Ward, who had just met her for the first time, at her south London home.

Gumbrell, of Jerningham Road, New Cross pleaded guilty on the day of her trial at Inner London Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the victim on September 23, 2023.

She received eighteen months imprisonment, suspended for twenty-one months and must complete 150 hours community service, plus twenty-five days of rehabilitation.

“Ordinarily anyone who takes a glass to another person’s face three times cannot expect mercy for causing the injuries you caused, but this is an exceptional  case in my judgement,” announced Judge Nathaniel Rudolf KC.

Gumbrell arrived at the address with a male friend, who knew Ms Ward and began drinking.

“The victim asked you to stop shouting at that male friend of hers,” Judge Rudolf told Gumbrell.

“You had a large round gin glass in your hand and you smashed it into her face and it broke and you hit her again twice with the broken glass and you cut yourself a left.

“She attended Accident and Emergency the next day, where she received thirty stitches and says she feels lucky to have her sight.

“She needed stitches around her right eye and when she sees the scars around her eye it reminds her of that day.

“Ms Ward says she suffers ‘anxiety and depression’ as a result and has suffered sleepless nights.

“She has not returned to her role as a nurse because of the physical and emotional scars.

“The custody threshold is passed,” added the judge, who read pre-sentence and psychiatric reports. “You did not know the victim and this was a ghastly attack that you perpetrated on Ms Ward.

“The prosecution say this was a ‘highly-dangerous weapon’ when you struck out with it, a broken glass on the second and third occasion.

“The defence say it was not a ‘highly-dangerous weapon’ as it was not a firearm, knife or acid.

“Most right-thinking members of the public would think a broken glass was a ‘highly-dangerous weapon’ but in my judgement I cannot say it is a definition I have to apply.

“You had consumed drugs and alcohol at the time and there were three blows, not just one. I accept that you are horrified and shocked by what you did.”

Judge Rudolf also took into account Gumbrell’s abusive childhood and abuse at the hands of a partner when she was a teenager.

“You are a risk to the public, but on the other hand you have no previous record of not responding to court orders because there have not been any court orders.

“You now have accommodation, a job and have weaned yourself off of drugs.”

Judge Rudolf ordered Gumbrell to return to court on July 1 to enable him to review her progress.