ARBOATH, Scotland – A woman has been jailed for nine months after attacking another woman in a nightclub, leaving her with a nine-inch scar across her neck. Marie Huggan, 44, struck Jeanette Irvine on the head with a bottle, causing severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
The incident, which took place at De Vito’s nightclub in Arbroath on July 10, 2022, resulted in Ms. Irvine being scarred for life. Huggan not only attacked Ms. Irvine but also knocked another woman to the ground by punching her in the head and then again while she was on the ground. In response to the incident, Sheriff Paul Brown rejected a plea for a community-based sentence, citing the serious harm caused to the victim and the lack of alternative to a custodial sentence. Huggan, a mother of three, showed remorse, but the circumstances warranted a jail term, as determined by the sheriff.
The attack left Ms. Irvine “traumatized” and self-conscious about the lengthy scar on her neck and jaw. The court was told that Huggan lashed out at her victim after they had been talking close to the bar. She shouted aggressively before striking Ms. Irvine with the bottle and then turned her attack to the second victim, Ms. Mullen, punching her and knocking her down. Security staff intervened and an ambulance was called, as Ms. Irvine suffered a severe cut to the left side of her neck, causing significant pain and permanent disfigurement.
Huggan was traced the next day and arrested, cautioned, and charged. She admitted assaulting Ms. Irvine and Ms. Mullen, expressing remorse for her actions. Her defense attorney emphasized the impact of her actions and acknowledged her disgraceful behavior, emphasizing that she deserves the consequences. The judge’s decision to impose a custodial sentence on Huggan reflected the severity of the harm caused and her lack of alternative to a jail term. The victim, Ms. Irvine, expressed feelings of trauma and devastation when she became aware of the nature of her injuries.
The incident at De Vito’s nightclub in Arbroath had a lasting impact on all parties involved, leading to Huggan’s incarceration and psychological and physical scars for the victims.