A MOTHER-of-five held a teenage girl prisoner and bit her nose during a savage attack because she thought she was having an affair with her boyfriend,

Fiona Walmsley, 32, attacked the 17-year-old in June last year. Newcastle Crown Court heard how the victim was waiting for a taxi in Front Street, Concord, Washington, when Walmsley punched and kicked her.

She was then dragged to a house in Hedworth Crescent and subjected to further beatings.

Walmsley, of Heugh Hill, Springwell Village, in Gateshead, held the girl captive but was forced to let go when her brother Shaun told her to stop.

She was arrested but persistently denied being involved in the attack. It later emerged that she thought the victim was having an affair with her boyfriend.

Prosecutor Anne Richardson said: "Mrs Walmsley was arrested the next day and she said she was at her brother's house all night and denied the offence."

Walmsley, who has previous convictions for dishonesty, later admitted the attack on the day that her trial was due to start.

Nick Peacock, defending, said: "It was a chance meeting, something she regrets and is thoroughly ashamed of,"

"I do not hold her out as a woman who is violent."

Sentencing, Judge Michael Cartlidge imposed a two-year probation order on condition that Walmsley attend anger management classes.

He said: "This girl was only 17-years-old. You led her along the street, hit her in the face and the most disgusting, you actually bit her on the nose.

"You have no real history of violence and you have got to look after five children.

"But do not misunderstand. If you do anything like this again, the fact that you are a mother will not prevent the judge from sending you to prison."