A 42-year-old woman has received a conditional discharge for assaulting her neighbour with a metre long piece of wood.

The judgement on Friday followed an earlier trial in which, Julie Ann Healey, of Bourne Road, was found guilty of assaulting her neighbour and a police officer on Saturday, June 3.

The incident started after Healey attached her washing line to Michael Aldridge’s fence panel. After inviting him round, the pair quarrelled about work the defendant was having done to her home.

It was after the victim returned to his home, and lent over to remove the washing line, that the assault took place.

There had been issues in the past between the pair which came to a head during this assault, the court heard.

Crown Prosecutor Keith Ballinger, told the court that Healey: “Repeatedly hit the victim with a piece of wood a metre long whilst shouting ‘I’m going to flood your garage and washroom’.”

The victim received swelling to his arm and nose.

After the assault, the defendant called the Crisis Team who instructed her to call the police.

Upon arriving at the scene, the a police officer invited Healey to the police station to discuss what happened. After telling the officer about her mental health issues, she repeatedly refused to go with the officer at which point, the officer attempted to arrest Ms Healey.

Mr Ballinger claimed the defendant advanced towards the officer ‘with gritted teeth’ and scratched the officer’s face.

The officer pressed the emergency button on her uniform for assistance.

After pushing the officer, the defendant made her way towards the door and in an attempt to stop her, the officer was injured and as a result she used her mace spray twice.

Originally Healey, who has no previous convictions, pleaded not guilty to both charges at an earlier hearing, citing self-defence.

Chris Albin, defending, said Healy’s emotionally unstable personality disorder caused her to become rapidly afraid of both the officer and her neighbour.

He said: “She thought the neighbour was going to grab her as he reached over the fence.

“Given her mental health issues, there is a question mark as to if the officer could have understood what was going on a bit more.”

The magistrates told Healey she had carried out a "nasty attack” telling her that she was conditionally discharged for two years.

Healey, through tears, replied: “It won’t happen again.”

Alongside the conditional discharge, Healey has to pay £50 compensation to the police officer, a £20 victim surcharge and court costs of £100.