A HEREFORD woman who repeatedly punched a love rival in the face while her child sat in her car nearby has been placed under a supervision order for 12 months.

Magistrates were told that Samantha Pearce, aged 35, stopped near to her Brampton Road home to buy food for her daughter and assaulted the ex-wife of her then partner, one morning in January.

Prosecuting, Gemma Goode said Pearce punched the woman in the face and knocked her off her bicycle before trying to ride off herself.

Her victim grabbed the saddle but Pearce lashed out again before driving off in her car.

An ambulance was called and the woman was later found to have swelling to the side of her face and a split lip.

Defending, Neil Coulson said the victim was now back with Pearce’s expartner and had since been taunting the defendant by text.

He said Pearce was still getting treatment for mental health problems and that he had advised his client to report any more texts to the police as it could amount to harassment.

Magistrates also ordered £100 compensation be paid to the victim and a conditional discharge to run until September after Pearce pleaded guilty to assault by beating.