A WOMAN visited an acquaintance’s flat to apologise for attacking her the previous day – and then punched her in the face.

Dawn Lewis, 43, of Heber Walk, Northwich, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting Clare Moorland on September 5 and 6 this year.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Monday, November 5 that she ‘pummelled’ Miss Moorland after drunkenly accusing her of taking advantage of an older man.

She ripped off her victim’s t-shirt before the woman managed to run away ‘effectively topless’ and alerted neighbours.

The next day Lewis went to see Miss Moorland with the intention of apologising – only to attack her yet again. The complainant was left with two black eyes and bruising to her face, nose, arms, back and hips.

Lewis was sentenced to a 10-week curfew meaning she cannot leave her home between 7pm and 7am. She was also ordered to pay Miss Moorland £250 in compensation as well as £85 costs.

Alan Currums, prosecuting, told the court Lewis and a friend had visited the complainant, who was with an older male, and sat around chatting.

“Without warning her attitude changed,” Mr Currums said. “She became volatile and aggressive. The next thing the complainant remembers is being on the floor and being pummelled by the defendant.”

Miss Moorland’s polo shirt was ‘torn off her body’ before she sought help from a neighbour while ‘effectively topless’, Mr Currums said.

The following day Lewis visited Miss Moorland and apologised to her. She then used her toilet but came out with a clenched fist and punched her once to the side of the face.

John Black, defending, said: “It is something of a strange situation to apologise and then do a further assault.”

He said his client had claimed Miss Moorland ‘took advantage of an older male’ and she reacted badly to this, having been drinking. This offered some explanation for her actions but did not justify them, the solicitor said.

Lewis has now been referred to mental health services by her doctor, Mr Black added.