A WOMAN left paralysed after a row over a spilt drink faced her attackers in court and told them “Look what you’ve done to me, you have ruined my life”.

Claire Hilton, 28, suffered a broken neck and back after she was punched during a night out at the Wheatsheaf pub in Boldon, South Tyneside, in June.

Christopher Towers, 24, admitted grievous bodily harm (GBH) and was granted bail to be sentenced on January 6.

Miss Hilton, sitting in a wheelchair by the public gallery in court seven at Newcastle Crown Court, reacted with fury when she heard he was going to be out of jail for Christmas.

In an angry outburst she said: “It’s not fair, he gets Christmas out.

“He’s ruined my life.”

Judge Esmond Faulks adjourned the case for pre sentence reports.

Towers’ mother, Lynn Flaherty, and Kelly McKone admitted assault on the same evening and walked with him past Ms Hilton at the end of the case.

The victim shouted from her wheelchair: “Look what you’ve done to me.

“You have ruined my life, you have.”

She broke down in tears and was comforted by her father, Paddy.

Ms Hilton was attacked about 150 yards from the Wheatsheaf following a row inside over a spilt £2.80 pint of cider.

The facts of the fight were not outlined in court, but it was understood Ms Hilton was not even present when the row started.

She has been unable to live with her son, Callum, 11, since she was hurt by Towers.

She needed a month in intensive care, then treatment in a specialist spinal unit.

Outside court, she said: “I am devastated. I don’t see how he should be getting Christmas with his family.

“He’s going to get at the most five years, if that. He has ruined my life and Callum’s life forever.”

She felt the justice system had let her down, adding: “I cannot understand why he has not been remanded.

“I am getting the short straw in all of this.”

Towers was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, but he denied it and his guilty plea to the lesser charge was accepted by the prosecution.

Towers admitted GBH on Ms Hilton and assault causing actual bodily harm on bystander Hugh Anderson, who had come to her aid.

McKone, 30, of Stanhope Road, Jarrow, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to common assault on Ms Hilton – prior to Towers’ more serious punch – on the basis she was guilty of backhanding her.

Flaherty, 46, of New Road, Boldon, admitted assaulting another woman.