I feared soccer star's vicious punch would scar me forever; GIRL SAYS

THIS is the horrific picture which helped convict footballer Danny Cadamarteri of a brutal attack on Joeline Joel.

Twenty-five-year-old Joeline was enjoying a girls' night out with a friend when the Everton striker floored her with a single punch.

The former England Under-21s player knocked Joeline unconscious and left her sprawled on the pavement with a fractured cheekbone.

After he was arrested he lied to the police and concocted a false alibi. But on Friday Cadamarteri, 21, was found guilty of causing actual bodily harm at Liverpool Crown Court.

Yesterday wages clerk Joeline said: "Danny Cadamarteri all but wrecked my life. For months I only dared to leave the house to attend the hospital and speak to the police.

"I looked awful, my whole face was swollen like a balloon.

"I eventually quit my job and even split up with my boyfriend because I was too frightened to go out.

"Even now I have nightmares about the moment his fist hit me."

The attack happened in October last year as Joeline and friend Christine Walmsley were walking along Liverpool city centre's Hardman Street just after 3am.

Cadamarteri and two friends began shouting abuse at them, the footballer suggesting she should perform a sex act on him.

Joeline answered him back and when the gang came close she pushed them away.

The next thing she heard was Cadamarteri's friend say: "F***ing give her a dig, Danny."

Joeline said: "Cadamarteri swung around, his fist came from nowhere.

"I felt it land and then my head smacked into a wall behind me. Everything went black.

"I slumped to the floor and when I opened my eyes there were swarms of people around me.

"Some lads chased Cadamarteri but he ran off." Joeline, of Wavertree, Liverpool, winces as she recalls the shock of seeing her mangled face. She said: "When I looked in the mirror I had to be sick.

"My left eye was closed, my nose was all bent and my cheek was sticking right out. I thought I would be disfigured forever."

In court Cadamarteri claimed he hit Joeline in self-defence.

Judge David Lynch adjourned sentencing for a week - but said the footballer will not face prison as he believed Miss Joel provoked the attack.

She said: "I am relieved that this is all over but I am disappointed that he will not go to prison."

The case has created a furore because pounds 10,000-a-week Cadamarteri won legal aid.

Judge Bryn Holloway said: "It seems to me a surprising state of affairs that Mr Cadamarteri is on legal aid with no contribution.

"It is not a criticism of him but possibly of the system."

A spokesman at Everton Football Club said it was considering the court's ruling, but Joeline wants to see him dropped.

"They should make an example of Cadamarteri and sack him."

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