A WOMAN has been handed a community order after being found guilty of assault.

Margaret Parker, of no fixed abode, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.

The 41-year-old, formerly of Chester, had been convicted after trial of one offence of assault, which took place in Wrexham.

Prosecutor Justin Espie explained the victim, Christopher Campbell, returned to his home at around 5.30pm on October 11 last year.

The defendant also attended the address and appeared to have been drinking beforehand, as she behaved in a "more aggressive" manner than normal.

Parker was asked to leave, but she did not.

She tried to provoke the victim, and when he went to the bathroom to call the police, Parker came in swinging her arms.

Her blows made contact with the victim's arms as he covered his face.

Parker was interviewed by police the next day and then released with bail conditions not to go to the victim's place pf residence.

But on October 24, she did exactly that - banging on his door after being asked to leave.

At the time of the offending, the defendant was on a community order.

A probation officer told the court her engagement had been been good overall, despite some missed appointments.

During the order, the defendant had "reduced her alcohol intake significantly."

But alcohol still "appears to be an issue for her," the court heard.

The court heard Parker has a "chaotic lifestyle" and has been made homeless since the offence.

Lorraine McClure, defending, invited the court to allow her client to remain in the community so she could continue with her rehabilitation work.

"It is aggravated by alcohol and there's the domestic violence aspect," Ms McClure conceded.

"But it wasn't a particularly long incident - it was a short spat.

"She didn't cause any problems when the police were called and she has changed her life significantly over the last few months due to her work with probation.

"Although she struggles with it on a daily basis, her change in alcohol use has been noticeable.

"There is no opposition to a restraining order."

The court handed down a 12 month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity days, £100 compensation and a £300 contribution to prosecution costs.

A two-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victim.