A WOMAN who attacked her former partner's new lover has been ordered to pay her £500 compensation for the injury she caused.

Nicola Dresser lashed out at the woman whilst holding her mobile phone in her hand and caused a four centimetre gash to her head.

The 36-year-old assaulted the woman while she was standing on the doorstep of her Darlington home in March last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard the victim required hospital treatment for the wound and has been left permanently scarred.

Philip Morley, prosecuting, said the attack happened in front of two children, who were living at the address, after Dresser turned up at the house following an angry telephone call.

He said: "The two women immediately started arguing leading to Miss Dresser lashing out with her hand, still holding her mobile telephone, this caused the wound to the victim's eyebrow area.

"As a result, she sustained a deep cut. It appears that when she was struck she lost consciousness for a short period of time and was subsequently taken to hospital for the head wound and four stitches were applied to the injury."

In a victim impact statement, the woman said the attack had left her self conscious about her scar.

Dresser, of Bowen Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

Simon Perkins, in mitigation, said his client had lost her job as a result of her behaviour.

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Dresser to an 18-month community order and has to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

"You were of good character and I recognise that you have no history of violent behaviour," he said.

"To a certain degree you have been punished for some time now, you lost your job because of this and I can tell you are ashamed of what you did."

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