Amy Coleman (pictured), 30, shoved a beer glass in Carl Benham's face so hard he lost an eye

A heavily pregnant mother-of-two who shoved a beer glass in a man's face so hard he lost an eye has been jailed for nine years.

Amy Coleman, 30, got into an argument Carl Benham in the Marine Boathouse in Skegness, Lincolnshire, on February 25 last year.

Coleman then pushed a pint glass into the victim's face with such force that the glass exploded, a court heard.

Doctors had to remove Mr Benham's eye following the attack.

As a result he lost his job as a seasonal worker and is now homeless and unable to drive.

Coleman became pregnant while awaiting trial and is due to give birth on May 25.

Coleman, of Wrangle, Lincolnshire, denied carrying out the attack but was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

She was jailed for nine years at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday.

Judge John Pini QC said: 'The tragic reality is that Mr Benham has suffered grievously and a substantial custodial sentence is a tragedy for your children.

'I bear in mind particularly the effect this sentence will have on your children and your as yet unborn child. There are no winners in this case. Only losers.'

Prosecutor Siward James-Moore said the attack happened after Coleman, whom he described as 'a very angry woman', confronted Mr Benham, who was out celebrating his 30th birthday.

Mr Benham briefly left the venue to get some money and when he returned found his way to the bar blocked, the jury heard.

Mr James-Moore said: 'She was shouting at him. He accepts that he shouted back at her.

Doctors had to remove Mr Benham's eye following the attack. As a result he lost his job and is now homeless and unable to drive

'At that point a female threw a drink over him. He had just started to clean himself up when the same female came towards him.

'He pushed her causing her to stumble backwards. At this point another female held a pint glass in her hand and threw the glass hitting his face damaging his eyeball.

'All he was aware of was his mouth filling up with blood.'

Two witnesses told the jury that the glass was thrown by a woman in a black strappy top, which matched the description of Coleman.

Coleman later told police that she did not assault Mr Benham and did not witness the incident in which he lost his eye.

In evidence Coleman told the jury: 'I was being gobby. He was giving me as good back.

'I was really close to him. The bouncer and Mr Benham's friend were between us.'

She denied she then glassed Mr Benham and said: 'I remember the bouncer was there. I just heard a gasp.

'The next minute I looked up at Mr Benham and his face was bleeding.

'I genuinely don't know how he was glassed by anyone. It wasn't me.'

David Eager, defending, said that Coleman was regarded as a good mother to her children and has no previous convictions.

Mr Benham had been celebrating his 30th birthday in the Marine Boathouse in Skegness, Lincolnshire, when he was attacked

He said: 'Any sentence will hit this young woman very, very badly.

'What she did that night was appalling but it was a single blow, it was out of character and it was an isolated incident.

'There was no pre-meditation. I ask you to pass as merciful a sentence as you can.'

The court was told Mr Benham continues to suffer headaches and is awaiting a further hospital operation.

During the trial he said: 'I knew my face was cut. I couldn't see. It flapped all my cheek open. I lost the eye. It's gone.'

Speaking after the sentencing, he said: 'I know I shouldn't but I feel guilty.

'She (the attacker) is going to have a baby and probably spend just a couple of weeks with it and then go to jail for a long time. I have kids and I just feel bad.

'I wish it was me going to jail because I'm at rock bottom - I have no job and I've lost my home.

'Every day I have to ring round to see whose sofa I can stay on that night - at least if I was in jail I'd have a bed.'

Mr Benham says he has suffered depression since the attack.

He added: 'My other eye has always been weaker and I've struggled with forms. I don't like waiting for appointments because I think people are looking at me - it's been a problem.

'I missed the Victim Support payment for hardship, have no money, and have had no help. I have nothing.'