A WHITEHAVEN woman who was going through an "acrimonious breakup" with her now former partner assaulted his mother and attacked his car.

During the assault at the victim’s home Rachel Sermon, 37, grabbed the woman by the throat and then angrily told her that she would “smash her face in,” Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of Wasdale Close, Whitehaven, admitted an assault by beating and causing criminal damage.

Estelle Chambers, prosecuting, described the two offences.

The first in time was the criminal damage to her ex-partners work car, a Mercedes-Benz, which his employer was leasing. The two had an argument on Boxing Day last year and Sermon became angry, the court heard.

“She was shouting and swearing and kicking and punching [her former partner’s] vehicle, causing damage to the front wing,” said the barrister.

The cost of repairing the damage was £1,691.

Describing the assault offence, Miss Chambers said it happened on February 20 after Sermon arrived at her former partner’s mother’s house after earlier calling the woman to ask where her son was the money she said she was owed.

After a short verbal exchange, the woman hung up but Sermon arrived at her property a short time later and walked in.

The woman told her that she was not supposed to be there because of bail conditions.

When the woman tried to usher Sermon out of her home, the defendant grabbed her by the throat, pushing her backwards towards the living room.

“She tried again to usher [Sermon] out, but she grabbed her face and said ‘I will smash your ***ing face in,” said Miss Chambers.  The victim was, however, able to push the defendant through her front door.

The prosecution accepted that the defendant did not squeeze the victim’s neck when she grabbed her.

But Miss Chambers added: “The victim describes being exceptionally worried as a result of this incident. The offence was aggravated because it was committed while on police bail and in a domestic context.

“There is reference to the victim being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.” The victim’s statement said her stomach was left “in knots” after the assault and she worried Sermon may return and cause more trouble.

Tim Evans, defending, told the court: “The background is an acrimonious breakup, which the defendant was not dealing with well. It led to her committing these offences.”

The barrister said that Sermon had shown she was able to stay out of trouble for long periods of time.

Referring to the defendant’s current suspended jail sentence for possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, Mr Evans said Sermon was a “classic drugs mule,” put under pressure by experienced criminals to transport drugs.

Judge Michael Fanning told Sermon she had behaved badly during the breakdown of her relationship.

“You’ve got to back off and get a grip,” he told the defendant, describing what Sermon had done to her ex-partner’s mother as “unpleasant and scary.”

The judge pointed out that it can be “far more difficult” for women to pick up their lives after spending short periods in custody. Judge Fanning imposed a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity days.