AN ‘out of control’ drunk who sank her teeth into a chip shop boss after she claimed she was served ‘disgusting’ potato scallops, has walked free from court.

‘Elderly’ victim, vulnerable Paulos Iasonides, who owns Reedley Chippy, near Burnley, was subjected to a vicious and sustained attack, in which he was bitten on the arm by alcoholic Hayley Jones after she demanded her money back over a tea cake and scallop dinner.

The victim had told a Burnley Crown Court jury how Jones came at him ‘like a wolf’ as he was trying to force her out of his shop on Burnley Road. Mr Iasonides, who finally managed to prise Jones off his arm after she clung on with her teeth, was left traumatised and physically scarred and suffered nightmares.

He had multiple abrasions in addition to the ‘nasty’ bite mark.

Jones, 33, of Commercial Street, Brierfield, had earlier denied assaulting Mr Iasonides, causing him actual bodily harm, during the attack at the chip shop on April 12, but was convicted by a jury. She was given 44 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, with two years’ supervision and an alcohol treatment programme.

Mr Iasonides had told the hearing Jones appeared drunk and he could smell alcohol on her breath when the trouble flared at around 2pm. He said he gave the defendant her money back when she came back into the shop complaining but she continued to be verbally abusive.

The court was told Jones had then attempted to force her way behind the counter towards the till and he stopped her, fearing she might get a knife to stab him.

Jones scratched behind his ear and drew blood and also kicked him.

The sentencing hearing was told Jones had convictions for common assault from 1998 and 2002 and possessing an offensive weapon in 2003, but had not been in trouble since.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Altham said: “I do find that you biting is tantamount to the use of a weapon.

“If you break the cycle of alcohol abuse then the chances are you won’t commit any offences at all.”