A YOUNG Ballarat mother who allegedly grabbed another woman by the hair and smashed her head into a bus shelter has been ordered to complete 175 hours of community work.
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Amber Stewart, 21, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Tuesday where she pleaded guilty to recklessly cause injury, theft from shop and unlicensed driving.
The court heard Stewart, on July 17, dragged the female victim towards the road before hitting and kicking her while she lay on the ground.
In a police interview Stewart claimed it was the victim who ran at her, took the first swing and continued to “come at her”.
She also told police "she deserves everything I gave her".
It was also alleged Stewart and a co-accused filled a trolley with $201.78 worth of food and alcohol before fleeing a Sebastopol supermarket earlier this year.
Stewart’s defence lawyer, Mike Wardell, said his client and the victim were known to each other and there was ongoing "animosity" between them.
He said since the offending, Stewart had taken a turn for the better.
Placing Stewart on an 18-month community corrections order, magistrate Michelle Hodgson said she was likely to be imprisoned if she didn't start turning around.
"I have concerns you will be back before this court if you don't address your behaviour,” she said.
