Lindsay Lohan's assault accuser threatens civil action

A woman who accused Lindsay Lohan of assaulting her at a New York City nightclub last year (12) has vowed to pursue her complaint through the civil courts after prosecutors dropped their case against the actress.

Tiffany Mitchell, 28, claimed the Mean Girls star punched her during an alleged brawl at the Club Avenue venue in Manhattan last November (12), but a third-degree misdemeanour assault charge has now been dismissed.

Prosecutors' case against Lohan reportedly crumbled due to a lack of co-operation from witnesses, but Mitchell's lawyer, Gloria Allred, insists her client won't give up her fight for justice.

She tells the New York Post, "Tiffany is very disappointed... (She) is considering all of her legal options in the civil justice system because of what she suffered that night."

However, Lohan's attorney, Mark Heller, insists the embattled star can finally put the legal mess behind her.

He adds, "This was the final legal hurdle to overcome and clear the path of Lindsay's freedom. An alleged gypsy fortune teller tried to grasp her 15 minutes of fame by claiming that Lindsay Lohan assaulted her."

In a separate interview with news show Access Hollywood, Heller claims the actress is determined to turn her life around: "She is 100 per cent committed and 100 per cent dedicated to taking the proper path. She never wants to see the inside of a courtroom again, certainly a criminal courtroom. She has assured me that she is going to do the right thing and she wants to turn her life around."

News of the case dismissal comes just days after the troubled actress pleaded no contest to a number of charges relating to a car accident in California last year (12). Lohan agreed to serve 90 days in rehab, 30 days of community service and 18 months of psychotherapy to avoid a stint behind bars. She has until 2 May (13) to begin the residential treatment program. Lohan plans to shoot a guest appearance on Charlie Sheen's TV series Anger Management before she checks in.