A YOUNG woman engaged in a “campaign of intimidation” before attacking her ex-partner’s new girlfriend.

Rebecca Hayley Laidman sent a number of threatening messages over several months, the last on June 8, the day she carried out the sustained attack.

She was seen in a car following the other woman around Sherburn Village, near Durham, as she made her way to visit her grandmother.

Durham Crown Court heard that the fearful victim tried hiding behind cars and in gardens, before making a dash for her grandmother’s home.

But she was spotted by Laidman, who punched her three to four times and pressed her fingers into her eyeballs for a few seconds, despite attempts at separating them made by the victim’s grandmother.

Liam O’Brien, prosecuting, said the injured woman was thrown onto a car bonnet and further punched and scratched before Laidman’s own mother also intervened, to help end the violence.

Mr O’Brien said the victim lost part of a tooth, which had to be removed, plus numerous bruises and swellings and is now on a course of anti-depressants to ease her nerves.

Laidman, 23, of Oak Green Flats, Brandon, near Durham, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and harassment causing a fear of violence.

The court heard she has previous offences for violence on her record.

Lorraine Mustard, mitigating, said Laidman pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and has taken steps to address her anger management issues.

Judge Colin Burn said it was, “no momentary loss of temper”, as it had been building during what was a “campaign of intimidation” over a number of months.

He imposed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which Laidman will undergo probation supervision.

She must also perform 200 hours unpaid work in the coming year.

A restraining order was made forbidding her from trying to contact the victim for the next five years.