A TEENAGE girl was savagely attacked in the street after party goers in fancy dress were thrown out of the Comrades Club in Soham. An 18th birthday party had been brought to an abrupt end by the DJ when a fight broke out, and youngsters dressed in various

A TEENAGE girl was savagely attacked in the street after party goers in fancy dress were thrown out of the Comrades Club in Soham.

An 18th birthday party had been brought to an abrupt end by the DJ when a fight broke out, and youngsters dressed in various costumes -- including a cat suit and a chicken suit - spilled out into the road.

Seventeen-year-old Lydia Jugg was punched and kicked, and clumps of her hair were pulled out by the roots - leaving her with nerve damage and mild paralysis to her face.

At Ely courthouse on Thursday, 19-year-old Sophie Rossdale admitted assault, and a 17-year-old admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Rossdale, of Noel Murless Drive, Newmarket - whose dreams of being a police officer or a lawyer were left in tatters because of the offence - was ordered to pay Lydia £115 compensation, carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, and pay £200 costs.

The 17-year-old was ordered to pay £250 compensation and £200 costs, and was given a nine-month referral order.

Sentencing the teenagers, presiding magistrate John Martin told them: "You were both on the borderline of a custodial sentence today. What you did was absolutely ridiculous."

Prosecuting, Delia Matthews described the confused situation with around 40 teenagers milling around. "There were various little fights outside," she said.

The 17-year-old was arguing with a male in a chicken suit, and she "went mad" when Lydia Jugg asked about the argument.

"She pulled her hair, removing big chunks of it. She then came back and punched her in the face. There were further punches, and while she was on the ground she felt a kick in the head, given by Sophie Rossdale. Sophie had joined in with the hair pulling, she added.

"Lydia Jugg was seen on the floor curled up in a ball, crying."

Representing Rossdale, Julie Donovan said her client had tried to stop the trouble. "Sadly she went too far by pulling hair and kicking," she said.

The 17-year-old had not been drinking, said solicitor Michael Judkins. He claimed that Lydia Jugg's interference in his client's argument had led to a tussle between the two girls. Later, he claimed, Lydia Jugg made an uncomplimentary comment, resulting in his client becoming angry and punching her in the face.