Ex-girlfriend of top British Council adviser is fined £200 after hurling a glass of white wine in her ex-lover’s face following furious pub dinner row

•  Gina Chatton attacked Helen Clews, 54,  in drunken argument
•  Police were called by a friend who witnessed Chatton hurl wine at her twice
•  Chatton was fined £200 at Warrington Magistrates’ Court
• Clews was granted a non-molestation order to protect victims from abusers 

The ex-girlfriend of a senior adviser to Britain’s internationally renowned cultural body has been fined after throwing a glass of white wine in her former lover’s face.

Gina Chatton attacked Helen Clews, an immigration consultant for the British Council for 30 years, when they became embroiled in a drunken argument after going out for a pub meal. 

Police were called by a friend of the couple, who witnessed Chatton twice hurl wine at 54-year-old Miss Clews during the bust-up at their £300,000 barn conversion in Haslington, Cheshire. 

Miss Clews, a mother of two and a former senior special constable who has given speeches in the House of Lords, subsequently spoke to officers while pub head chef Chatton was detained. 

Gina Chatton [pictured right] attacked Helen Clews [pictured left] when they became embroiled in a drunken argument after going out for a pub meal. Chatton threw two glasses of wine in Clew’s face before a mutual friend called the police 

Clews was later granted a non-molestation order, which protects domestic violence victims from their abusers. 

Chatton, 49, licensee at the Bowling Green pub in Nantwich, has since left the barn conversion and moved in with her elderly parents. 

Appearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, she was fined £200 and ordered to pay Miss Clews £100 compensation after admitting common assault. 

The British Council promotes UK culture worldwide. The hearing was told Miss Clews’ work sees her advise government departments on visas and immigration, welfare and support issues affecting international students. 

She had not supported the prosecution but it went ahead because of the evidence from the friend, who witnessed the women arguing during the meal on September 15. 

Chatton [pictured left] was fined £200 and ordered to pay Miss Clews [pictured right] £100 compensation after admitting common assault at Warrington Magistrates’ Court. Clews was also granted a non-molestation order, which protects domestic violence victims from their abusers

Alex Morgan, prosecuting, said: ‘The three returned to the complainant’s property. The defendant appeared intoxicated and an argument started. 

‘The witness (saw) the defendant throw a full glass of wine in the complainant’s face. Following this, the argument continued and the defendant threw a second glass of wine directly into the complainant’s face. 

‘The offence was aggravated by her being intoxicated and being committed in a domestic context.’ 

Chatton has a previous conviction for drink driving, the court heard. 

Her lawyer Stuart Flood said that the first glass of wine hit Miss Clews’ body and added: ‘It was the second that hit her face. 

‘They had been in a relationship, a toxic relationship for two or three years. It’s fair to say that the relationship is now at an end.’ 

The couple’s former home is due to be sold via solicitors. 

District Judge Jack McGarva told Chatton: ‘I have decided not to make a restraining order. It’s going to be complicated trying to sort out the property… bearing in mind that there is a non-molestation order.’ 

According to her LinkedIn page, Miss Clews’ job involves liaising with the Foreign Office, Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration and the Department for Education. 

She also teaches speech, drama and communication at University of West London

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