TWO Pontypool women who drunkenly assaulted a mother in front of her daughter have been given suspended sentences.

Debra Passalacqua, aged 49, of Machine Meadow in Pontnewynydd, and Natalie Powell, aged 30, of Picton Road in Abersychan, both pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent and assault by occasioning ABH. They had been on bail for the offence.

Newport Crown Court heard how at around 7pm on June 3 last year, the complainant, Hannah Jones, who lives across the road from Passalacqua, was putting out her recycling.

Passalacqua, who has lived at the address for 18 years, was drinking outside her home with Powell. Believing that Mrs Jones was staring at them, Passalacqua shouted, “What are you looking at?”

Powell and Passalacqua then crossed the street and approached Mrs Jones outside her home. Passalacqua grabbed her by the hair and entered the hallway of Mrs Jones’ home.

Mrs Jones fell to her knees and was kicked and bitten on the back. Her young daughter was screaming at the top of the stairs and later told police that “two women were trying to attack Mummy”.

The court heard how neighbours across the road witnessed the incident from their bedroom windows and called the police.

When the police arrived, Passalacqua maintained that Mrs Jones was the aggressor and that she had only been defending Powell.

Mrs Jones suffered a fracture to her right hand - that required an operation and for her hand to be put in plaster for a month - as well as bruising to her forearms.

Summing up, Judge Neil Bidder highlighted how Passalacqua had previous convictions for assault and common assault, and how Powell had previous convictions for battery and ABH.

He said: “Passalacqua, this was a wholly stupid argument between you and your neighbour.

"It led to violence which was entirely the fault of both you and Powell. Both of you were revoltingly drunk.

“Fortunately, in this instance, the injuries were not the most serious.”

Passalacqua and Powell were each handed a 14 month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. A 12-month supervision order was handed down to Passalacqua while Powell was given 180 hours unpaid work.

Judge Bidder also issued a restraining order for both Passalacqua and Powell, which will prevent them from contacting Mrs Jones, entering her address, and from posting anything on the internet relating to her.

The restraining order will last for five years and if either of them breach it, they face time in prison.