Smoker Who Punched Woman Sentenced to 180 Days in Jail

A Studio City man who punched a woman in the face after she asked him to stop smoking in the no-smoking section of a McDonald’s restaurant was sentenced Friday to 180 days in Los Angeles County Jail and three years’ probation.

San Fernando Municipal Court Judge Roy Carstairs also ordered David Webster to pay restitution for medical expenses incurred by the victim, Cathy Ewing, 28, of Simi Valley. The amount of compensation will be determined by the county probation department.

Webster was convicted Feb. 5 of assault with force likely to bring great bodily harm and assault with a deadly weapon--his hand. The incident occurred July 5 at the McDonald’s on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.

Ewing has filed a civil suit against McDonald’s Corp., claiming that the restaurant chain should have intervened and asked Webster to move or extinguish his cigarette.

The suit seeks $15,000 in general damages, medical expenses and other related expenses for Ewing and unspecified damages for her husband for loss of her companionship.

Ewing said Friday that she continues to suffer daily headaches and is unable to raise her right eyebrow.

“I’m so relieved it’s over,” she said. “These last eight or nine months have been a nightmare.”