Krystal Grinham, 20, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday to the drunken assault.

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Mark Snell told the court Grinham approached the victim on the dance floor of Universal nightclub in McCrae Street in January.

He said Grinham then hit the victim on the back of the head with a Jim Beam stubby when she tried to walk alway.

The court heard that Grinham continued to hit the 18-year-old girl, striking her in the face at least two more times with the stubby.

He said the girl was taken to the Bendigo hospital, where she required medical attention for a gash on the back of her head.

She also had swelling, bruises and cuts on her forehead.

Leading Senior Constable Snell said that when police showed Grinham pictures of the victim’s face after the incident, she said the injuries “could have been worse”.

Defence lawyer Annette Wood said the assault was completely out of character and that Grinham had stopped drinking and going to nightclubs.

She said Grinham’s father was an abusive drinker and that she was extremely remorseful for her actions.

“She’s only young, she has a great future in front of her,” Ms Wood said.

“She has no prior record . . . she is not likely to come back in front of court again.”

Magistrate Richard Wright told Grinham that her behaviour was completely unacceptable and that a message needed to be sent to the community that violence among women would not be tolerated.

He said he understood the incident was alcohol-fuelled, but said that was no excuse.

Mr Wright sentenced Grinham to a six-month community based order without conviction. He also ordered her to complete 50 hours of unpaid community service.