DRUNKEN violence by women is almost as bad a problem as the drink-fuelled disorder caused by men in York and North Yorkshire, a judge has said.

The Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, said being a woman would not save someone from prison if she uses a bottle or a glass against another person.

He was speaking as he locked a single mother up for 21 months for wounding another woman in an unprovoked drunken attack in The Gallery nightclub.

He heard that Adele Louise Mackie had hit the victim three times on the head with a bottle, and that her parents will look after her eight-year-old daughter while she serves her sentence.

The judge said at York Crown Court: "Those who use bottles or glasses on another person as weapons will be sent to custody, both to punish, and to deter others, regardless of whether they are male or female.

"It is this court's experience that females are appearing for these offences almost as often as are men."

Mackie, of Priory Crescent, Gedling, Nottingham, had pleaded guilty to wounding. She claimed she did not realise she had the bottle in her hand, but the judge said he didn't believe her.

Prosecuting, Karma Melly said the victim, Alexai Hyldon, was talking to a man and declined to go with Mackie to find the rest of their group on January 18. Mackie, who had been loud all evening, objected and without warning, hit her with the bottle three times, causing two cuts.

For Mackie, Steven Pidcock said she was very contrite and feared the effect jailing her would have on her daughter

Earlier this year, the Evening Press revealed how booze had pushed violent crime involving women to record levels.

A fifth of those involved in alcohol-related public order offences last year were women. A senior policeman blamed "designer drinks" with high alcohol content for the increase.

The York Alcohol Advisory Service also reported that more young women are seeking help for excessive drinking.

Once a predominately male problem, it is now split equally between the sexes.

Updated: 10:48 Tuesday, May 18, 2004