Woman on Probation After Blonde Remark Assault

A 40-year-old woman pleaded no contest Wednesday to misdemeanor assault charges for striking a man with a wine glass in a Santa Monica sushi restaurant after he stated his distaste for blondes.

Blonde defendant Anastasia Atwil, 40, entered pleas of no contest to charges of assault with a deadly weapon and assault with great bodily injury after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark E. Windham reduced the charges to misdemeanors.

The victim, Steve Noble, testified Wednesday and said the incident took place Dec. 15, 2011, at Miyako Restaurant at 2829 Ocean Park Blvd.

Noble said that he made a comment about "not having an affinity" for blonde women to two female companions at his table. Atwil overheard the remark, made contact and said she took offense, Noble said. She also told Noble that he shouldn't generalize.

A female friend of his asked Atwil to stay out of their conversation and a "heated conversation" ensued, Noble said.

Noble said he left the table and when he returned he sat down and Atwil walked over to him and without saying anything hit him over the head behind his right ear with a wine glass.

Noble said he tried to block Atwil and a male companion from leaving, but they forced their way past him. Noble said he went to the emergency room at St. John's Health Center and they cleaned his wounds and removed glass. He testified that he also missed a day's work.

Atwil was placed on probation, assigned 200 hours of community service, ordered to stay 100 yards away from Noble and wrote him a check for $340 in restitution.

Stay up to date on Santa Monica news and events by following @StaMonicaPatch and “liking” us on Facebook.