AN Orford woman dragged a 14-year-old girl along the floor by her hair.

Linda Gresley-Jones, of Ullswater Avenue, appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being convicted of assault by beating.

The offence happened in June last year in Warrington and the 48-year-old’s victim was a 14-year-old girl, the court heard.

Addressing Gresley-Jones, the chair of the magistrates’ bench said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a 14-year-old child.

“You assaulted her, dragged her by her hair and pulled her along the floor.

“You were drinking at the time and your behaviour was totally unacceptable.”

The magistrates found that Gresley-Jones’ offending had passed the custodial threshold, but decided to suspend her sentence due to her having a ‘realistic prospect of rehabilitation’.

The chair added: “We took the view that you require help and not a punitive sanction.

“Take this opportunity to turn your life around.”

Gresley-Jones was handed a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

She must also complete up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a Thinking Skills programme.

Magistrates also ordered the defendant to pay compensation of £200 and a surcharge of £154.