A WOMAN bit and scratched a Chester nightclub bouncer like a “possessed dog”, a court heard.

Janet Carroll, 29, had denied assaulting James Mason at Rosie’s on Northgate Street on January 8 this year.

But she failed to attend her trial at Chester Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, July 25) and was convicted in her absence.

A warrant was issued for her arrest and she will be sentenced at a later date.

Witness Sara McCarthy, who was employed at Rosie’s, told the court Carroll had been involved in an altercation with another man before doorman Mr Mason stepped in to split them up.

“He restrained her, as he had to because it’s his job,” she said. “The next thing they were on the floor and she was kicking and screaming and punching.”

Mr Mason manoeuvred her away from the busy dancefloor area as she continued to “screech”. Carroll’s mother was also present and was screaming ‘don’t hurt my baby!’

“By this point she was biting and scratching at James’ neck, hands and arm like a dog. It was like she was possessed; like a dog that hadn’t eaten,” Miss McCarthy said.

She estimated the whole ordeal lasted around half an hour and stressed her colleague’s use of force had been entirely proportionate.

“I would have felt afraid If he hadn’t used that level of force,” she said.

Magistrates stated that they accepted the account of an independent witness and were satisfied Carroll, of Southburn Road, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, is guilty of assault.