A MELKSHAM woman has been fined £900 after assaulting another woman in a late-night attack.

Leanne Watchman, 33 and of Dorset Crescent, assaulted Natasha Clare White, at around 2am on July 2, 2022, leaving Miss White with a broken nose, two black eyes, and bruising all over her body.

Miss White’s nose was broken so badly that it had to be re-broken during surgery in order to be fixed properly, Salisbury Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.

Watchman was also given a restraining order on Miss White’s address, a community order for two years, and an alcohol tag for four months.

During the attack, Watchman, who is a single mother of four, punched Miss White to the head, swung her around by her hair, climbed on top of her and pinned to the ground so she couldn’t defend herself. She then continued to punch Miss White repeatedly.

Miss White was heard shouting at Watchman to stop punching her and “leave her alone”, before a member of the public pulled them off each other.

Footage of the assault was shown in court, and Watchman watched in tears.

Watchman admitted guilt straight away, and said she felt “sick”, and that she was “really sorry” and that she had never done anything like this before.

As a result of the assault, Miss White, who is a carer, had to take two-and-a-half months off work.

This then meant she was behind on her rent and council tax, as she was only being paid statutory sick pay, which was less then her income as a carer.

Her mother also had to take two weeks off work to care for Miss White’s daughter.

She said in her statement: “My daughter was extremely upset, I have been struggling to sleep, I have had anxiety, and I didn’t leave the house for a number of months afterwards.

“I am still anxious, and I won’t go out on my own because I don’t want to bump into Leanne [Watchman].”

She added that she still fears for her safety and has subsequently had CCTV installed at her house.