A FORMER Tory candidate today insisted she had no political ambitions after becoming a crime victim.

A court heard last week the ex-chairman of a Conservative Association admitted throwing a wine glass at Sue Catling during a row.

Mrs Catling, 47, said she needed emergency surgery after Barrie Henderson carried out the "violent and unprovoked" assault on her earlier this year.

Mr Henderson, the former chairman of the Calder Valley Conservative Association, threw a wine glass at Mrs Catling and called her a "tart" during an argument at his home in Rochdale Road, in Triangle, near Halifax.

Today Mrs Catling, who needed surgery for a severed tendon in her index finger, said the attack was a "violent and unprovoked crime".

She said she had no ambitions to become involved in politics again.

"Just at the moment I'm just getting on with my private life with my family," she said.

When Mr Henderson admitted actual bodily harm before magistrates in Halifax last week, the court heard he had ended his marriage after 30 years to be with Mrs Catling, who is married with two sons.

Mrs Catling has always denied having had a sexual relationship with Henderson.

Today she said: "I really don't want to talk about that."

She was de-selected for the Calder Valley seat before last year's General Election, after her opponents listed 24 of her "failings", including accusations of indecorous conduct, bullying and misleading the association over campaign funds.

Mrs Catling's position was troubled by controversy since she was linked to Mr Henderson, prior to his resignation as the Calder Valley Conservative Association chairman in 2004.

At the time she said her de-selection was a personal tragedy for her but a "political disaster" for the Tories.

Mrs Catling reportedly said she had been the victim of a sexist witch-hunt by "the sad, the mad and the bad".

Mr Henderson apologised for his "reckless" actions in court.

He admitted actual bodily harm at Halifax magistrates' court last week and was ordered to pay £2,000 compensation and £90 costs.

He was also given a 12-month community order involving 80 hours of work.