Playboy's Mia Raquel punched friend in face because she tried to get her out of bed

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Mia Raquel, 28, a regular in Playboy magazine, has been charged in New York
She allegedly punched model Zoe Cacciola, 31, in an incident on October 20
She has been charged with second-degree assault, second-degree harassment
Her lawyer said she 'looks forward to vigorously challenging the case' in court

Published: 10:32 EST, 13 December 2016 | Updated: 13:40 EST, 13 December 2016

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A fitness model was punched in the face by her Playboy Playmate pal when she came home from a night out in New York and tried to wake her up, a court has heard.

Mia Raquel, who was the November 2015 Playmate in Playboy's Slovakia edition, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday charged with assaulting her friend Zoe Cacciola at an apartment in Manhattan.

The New York Post said the court heard the Playmate, whose real name is Mia Lytell, was asleep in Miss Cacciola's apartment on October 20 when her friend came in from partying and tried to wake her.

Mia Raquel (pictured) allegedly punched her friend after being woken up in the early hours

The Florida-based blonde, whose Instagram page is decorated with selfies and modelling shots in which she shows off her stunning figure, allegedly punched Miss Cacciola, 31, in the face and neck.

A source told the Post the 28-year-old claimed she was 'just defending herself' and was not the aggressor.

Ms Raquel, who was also Playboy's Miss March 2016 in the Venezuela edition, has been charged with second-degree assault and second-degree harassment.

Zoe Cacciola (pictured) was allegedly punched in the face when she tried to wake her friend

Her attorney, Jeremy Saland, said his client denied she was the attacker, and 'looks forward to vigorously challenging the case' in court.

The case is due back in court on February 2.

The case is due to go for trial in the New Year and lawyers for Mia Raquel (pictured) said she looked forward to 'vigorously challenging' the prosecution's case in court