A woman was hit in the face and stamped on during a violent attack by four women during a night out, it has been alleged.

Lauren Botwright, 23, was standing near the front entrance of the Aquarium nightclub in Lowestoft when 28-year-old Chelsea Carter allegedly accused her of laughing at her, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Miss Botwright denied the accusation and was then allegedly head-butted by Carter causing her to stumble backwards, said Joanne Eley, prosecuting.

Cassie Knights, 31, who had been standing with Carter allegedly became involved and punched Miss Botwright a number of times to the face and head.

“Lauren’s hair was grabbed as she was punched,” alleged Miss Eley.

Maisie Harper, 19, had then allegedly kicked Miss Botwright in the face and as she started falling to the ground she was allegedly punched by 24-year-old Sophie Skillbeck.

While she was on the ground Harper and Skillbeck allegedly stamped on her face.

“Lauren felt dizzy and scared,” said Miss Eley.

The alleged incident came to an end when nightclub staff intervened and Miss Botwright cleaned blood from her face and hands before going home to bed.

She later went to hospital where she was found to have bruising, black eyes and scratches as a result of the alleged incident.

Carter, of Cambridge Road, Knights, of Crown Street West, Harper of Kirkley Park Road, and Skillbeck, of Southwell Road, all Lowestoft, have all denied assaulting Miss Botwright causing her actual bodily harm in January last year.

Carter told police there had been a “massive brawl” and she didn’t know what had happened.

She denied throwing punches or head-butting Miss Botwright.

Knights denied touching Miss Botwright or anyone else and said it looked to her that Miss Botwright and a man with her were “going to start on” Carter.

Skillbeck said she had not seen anyone being assaulted and said it was not in her nature to stamp on anyone.

Harper told the police she had run over and punched Miss Botwright once because she thought she was going to do something to Carter.

“She says the punch was in defence of her friend,” said Miss Eley.

The trial continues.