A SINGLE mother who severed a nightclub bouncer's tendon in a glassing attack after he tried to separate a group of warring women, has won a major cut in her sentence at London's Appeal Court.

In an act of judicial mercy triggered by Rachel Pooler's compelling case, Judge Kenneth Zucker substituted a 12-month jail term for her original 21-month sentence - imposed for unlawful wounding.

The court heard Pooler's separation from her four-year-old daughter had taken a "devastating" toll on the youngster, while reports suggested there was a "low risk of re-offending".

Judge Zucker - sitting with Lord Justice Potter and Mrs Justice Raffery - told Pooler: "We consider that the separation from your young daughter provides exceptional grounds for substituting a lesser and more merciful sentence in this case."

Paul Whittingham - doorman at Time Club, Kidderminster - suffered permanent scarring when Pooler struck out with a glass on the night of August 12 last year, "slicing through" a tendon in his hand.

Mr Whittingham had just intervened to separate combatants after Pooler and her aunt became embroiled in a fracas with other female club-goers.

"All of the women were under the influence of alcohol at the time," said Judge Zucker.

"As Mr Whittingham ejected her aunt, Pooler approached and thrust a glass containing alcohol at him in what was described as a punching motion."

The doorman needed surgery for his right hand and, as of February this year, was still suffering pain and restricted movement.

When arrested, Pooler denied any involvement in the attack.

Pooler, of Grasmere Close, Kidderminster, was convicted of unlawful wounding at Worcester Crown Court on March 30, receiving a 21-month sentence.

She was cleared of a more serious charge of wounding with intent.