A BRIDE-TO-BE feared her wedding would be ruined when she was attacked by a drunken woman who tried to punch her in the face.

The attack happened just a few days before paramedic Sarah Harrison walked down the aisle.

Mrs Harrison was terrified she would have to get married with a broken nose and a bruised face after the woman swung her fist at her.

Mrs Harrison — at the time still called Sarah Bickers — was attacked after dropping a patient off in the A&E department at Wythenshawe Hospital.

While she was there she saw another patient, Sharon Martin, shouting aggressively at staff and patients, so she walked over and tried to calm her down.

Mrs Harrison said: “The next thing I know she’s got her fist on my nose and she’s saying ‘I’m going to smash your face in’. It was quite frightening. My nose was hurting afterwards and I spent the rest of the day checking it out. “I thought it might have bruised — I would have been devastated if I’d been injured.”

Fortunately, Mrs Harrison managed to dodge the blow and escaped without a serious injury.

She was married to fellow paramedic Richard Harrison, aged 27, from Farnworth, two weeks later, and they now live together in Blackrod.

Martin, aged 46, of Hoylake Road, Sale, pleaded guilty to common assault at Manchester City Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay £50 compensation and £85 costs.

She was also given a 12-month community order and must undergo treatment for alcohol addiction.

Derek Cartwright, North West Ambulance Service’s emergency service director, said: “It is unacceptable that violence is directed towards ambulance staff. “The trust welcomes this sentence and hopes it sends out a clear message to anyone who assaults our crews, either verbally or physically, that they face prosecution.”