Man jailed after attacking woman with champagne bottle in Soho bar, London

A man has been jailed after hitting a woman over the head with a champagne bottle in a bar.

William Hilton also assaulted victim Gemma Scott during an incident in Zebrano, Soho, central London, in May 2022.

He was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday to five years in prison, with a three-year license extension.

The 37-year-old, from Pinner, north-west London, was found guilty of wounding with intent following a trial in February.

Hilton hit Scott on the head with a bottle of Taittinger champagne after he insulted one of his sisters, the court heard.

Ms Scott had been to the theater with a friend before going to the Greek Street pub, where they spoke to Hilton and his two sisters and an argument ensued.

Prosecutor Terence Woods said: “(Hilton) picked up a bottle from a bucket containing ice and he struck the victim over the head with the bottle, the bottom of which appeared to be connected to her scalp .”

The court heard the bottle did not break but fell from Hilton’s hand.

Mr Woods continued: “He then punched the victim at least once and was seen trying to punch her again.

“She walked to the floor of the bar and appeared to be unconscious.”

Ms Scott suffered cuts to her scalp and a cut above her eyebrow.

Hilton was arrested by security guards and later by police.

The court heard he gave police a prepared statement in which he said he did not remember hitting anyone with a bottle and “wouldn’t do anything like that”.

In a victim personal statement read out by Woods, Ms Scott described being “terrified” by the incident, which she said had made her “think twice before going out”.

“She will have a permanent scar above her left eyebrow, which she said will be a daily reminder of the incident,” the prosecutor said.

Recorder Mathew Gullick KC said the victim’s behavior was not threatening and told Hilton: “Your violent behavior was unprovoked and unjustified.”

He said: “You were angered by the abuse Gemma Scott had directed at your sister and decided to take revenge into your own hands.”

The court heard Hilton had previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault in September 2016 at a nightclub in Harrow, greater London.

The judge said Hilton choked one man and punched another man during that incident, causing his eyes to become swollen and some of his teeth to be knocked out.