Drunk horsewoman, 22, who scarred glamorous love rival for life by smashing gin glass into her face after a day at the races weeps in court as she is spared jail

A horse rider who left her glamorous love rival scarred for life with a drunken ‘glassing’ attack after a day at the races broke down in tears as she was freed by a judge – much to the anger of her victim.

Mia Troake, 22, threw a gin glass in the face of fellow rider Felicity Calveley after challenging her in a restaurant.

Mrs Calveley had previously been in a relationship with Troake’s boyfriend and was teased because of that relationship.

Just before the attack, Troake, who works in childcare, said: “Do you want to fuck my boyfriend?” to which Mrs Calveley replied airily: “Yes, I want to fuck him.”

Troake then threw the glass in the victim’s face, cutting her upper lip and leaving chunks on her face.

Estate agent Mrs Calveley, from Tarporley, Cheshire, needed five stitches and subsequently lost her job after having to take leave and lost her confidence following the attack.

Mrs Calveley required stitches to her face after the violent attack

She said: ‘The scar on my face is a constant reminder of the attack and often leads to questions from others, forcing me to retell the traumatic event over and over again.

‘For months after the incident, even smiling was painful, severely affecting my ability to express happiness. I suffer from extreme anxiety, especially in social situations. The sound of breaking glass triggers panic attacks and I have difficulty relaxing in crowded spaces.

‘I have been diagnosed with mild PTSD and am receiving online cognitive behavioral therapy to manage my symptoms. I can only go out to bars and restaurants with trusted friends, which limits my social interactions and support network. The emotional toll of retelling the story of the attack is limiting my ability to form new social connections.

‘Professionally, I took three months off from my job as an estate agent due to a lack of confidence when visiting homes of strangers. This ultimately resulted in my resignation. I found another similar position but had to leave due to continued issues with confidence and an inability to perform as I once did.’

Felicity Calveley was attacked with a glass by Mia Troake in 2022 over an ex-boyfriend

Mrs Calveley from Tarporley, Cheshire needed five stitches and subsequently lost her job

Mrs Calveley told the court the scar on her face is a constant reminder of the attack

Troake avoided a jail sentence after Chester Crown Court heard she was insecure

Mia Troake (left) smashed a glass in the face of fellow rider Felicity Calveley (right) after challenging her in a restaurant because the victim was in a relationship with her boyfriend

At Chester Crown Court, Troake, of Longwell Green near Bristol, faced a maximum three-year prison sentence after admitting unlawful wounding. However, she wept in the dock as she was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 compensation to Mrs Calveley.

Afterwards, the victim, who had watched the proceedings with her current boyfriend, said: ‘The fact that she is getting away with 100 hours of unpaid work has no effect on her at all. The fact is that she is getting away with it so easily. I am so disappointed that this is the justice I am getting.’

The incident occurred on September 24, 2022, after Troake, then 20 years old and living in Chester, went drinking in the city following the season finale of the races.

Mrs Calveley is furious that her attacker has not been jailed for the violent attack

Mrs Calveley suffered from anxiety following the attack, which left her unable to go to work.

Tom McLoughlin, prosecuting, said: ‘Felicity Calveley was the ex-partner of the defendant’s friend at the time of the offence. On the night in question they attended two parties at the Church Cafe on Newgate Street in Chester.

‘The relations between the two groups were civil. They effectively said ‘Hello’ and then parted ways. However, a short time later the defendant approached Miss Calveley and appeared to be intoxicated. The defendant had a gin glass in her hand and asked Miss Calveley: ‘Do you want to fuck him?’, meaning the boyfriend.

‘Miss Calveley said ‘Yes, I want to fuck him’ or words to that effect and the situation escalated dramatically. The defendant struck Miss Calveley in the face with a glass and said ‘F**k you’. Miss Calveley realised there was fluid on her face but thought it was fluid from the glass. She suddenly realised it was her own blood.’

Troake had no previous convictions. In mitigation, defence lawyer Peter Barnett said his client later broke up with her boyfriend, adding: ‘It seems quite clear that she was insecure about her relationship and the partner she had at the time.

Troake’s lawyer said she later split with her boyfriend, adding: ‘It seems quite clear she was having issues with her insecurity at the time’

Felicity Calveley outside Chester Crown Court with her current boyfriend Alex Gattward

“It is clear that this attack was impulsive, there was clearly no planning involved, it was a single blow. She was immature and she lacked life experience. She clearly showed remorse in conversations with the probation officer.”

In imposing the sentence, Judge Eric Lamb also imposed a restraining order on Troake, banning her indefinitely from contacting Miss Calveley.

He told her: ‘The consequences of what you did to Felicity Calveley are long lasting and profound.

‘Miss Calveley has made it clear that your actions have left her with a state of anxiety and fear. You have left her with a mild case of PTSD, the kind that she needs to undergo cognitive behavioural therapy to overcome.

‘She suffered not only medically, but also many substantial consequences. The consequences impacted her social life, her work was affected for months, and it had a direct impact on her finances.

“It’s all a direct result of you having too much to drink in one day and confronting someone you clearly saw as your rival.”