A LAMPETER woman launched an attack on another woman in a row over Facebook comments, a court heard.

Bethenie Louise Nicholson, of Flat 1 Bryngwyn, 1 North Road, was said to have attacked Molly Burnett at Ms Burnett’s home, and again while they were walking to Nicholson’s home, after Ms Burnett made comments on Facebook referring to an earlier argument between the two.

While Nicholson, 25, had pleaded not guilty to assaulting Ms Burnett, she had failed to appear at her trial and was convicted in her absence.

Prosecutor Rhian Jones said Ms Burnett had admitted that she put comments on Facebook following an earlier verbal row with Nicholson before Nicholson turned up at her home banging on the door.

Ms Burnett answered the door, Nicholson grabbed her by her hair and pushed her to the floor before pulling her around.

Nicholson demanded that Ms Burnett tell her partner that the comments weren't true, with the two agreeing to go and see Nicholson’s boyfriend.

However, Ms Jones said Nicholson grabbed a bottle Ms Burnett was holding and hit her to the back of the head with it, before grabbing Ms Burnett’s hair again.

Despite the incident, the two left and were walking through Lampeter when witnesses said they saw Nicholson grab Ms Burnett by the hair again and drag her to the floor before punching her and even trying to kick her in the head. One of the witnesses said they saw Ms Burnett holding her hands out saying she didn’t want to fight, but Nicholson continued to assault her before members of the public intervened.

Ms Burnett suffered bruising to her arms and legs as a result of the incident, but Nicholson told police she had been acting in self defence and hadn’t caused the injuries and insisted the incident had only been the two “grappling”.

Defence solicitor Iestyn Davies said Nicholson had denied the attack, but had been unable to attend at the trial as she was unwell.

He said both Nicholson and Ms Burnett were “vulnerable” and said things had got out of hand.

Mr Davies said none of Nicholson’s previous convictions were for violence and the incident was out of character.

Nicholson was made subject to a new community order for six months with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She will also pay compensation to Ms Burnett of £100, a fine of £120 and costs of £705.