AN ongoing neighbour dispute led to an assault and court appearance for a Llechryd woman.

Sarah Moane, of Preseli View, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates for sentencing on Wednesday, May 2, after previously pleading guilty to assault.

The court heard that a restraining order was already in place prohibiting Moane, 27, from contacting Dafydd James, following past animosity, when the incident took place on November 4.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the bench that Mr James was outside a friend’s house when he heard Moane shout at him from the window of a nearby property, stating that he was making her break the restraining order.

Mr James was chatting to Moane’s partner outside when she walked up behind him.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “All of a sudden he was punched to the back of the head. She ran back into the house, then came out and punched him again.”

Moane reappeared a third time to hit Mr James with enough force to cause him to fall forwards onto her boyfriend.

Mr Pritchard-Jones added: “The boyfriend did not know what had happened, he was not sure if Mr James was attacking him and they started struggling.”

Moane took the opportunity to punch Mr James in the head a number of times while the two men were on the floor.

He sustained a reddening to his neck from being punched and grazing to his knees and elbows as a result of the assault.

Katy Hanson, defending, told the bench that there had been ‘ongoing difficulties’ between Mr James and Moane, but she apologised for her actions.

“It’s a neighbour dispute which got somewhat out of hand.”

Miss Hanson added that the incident took place directly outside Moane’s property, and she claimed Mr James was being aggressive towards her.

“There are two sides to every story, but she accepts that her behaviour was not what it should have been, and she did strike him.

“She felt under threat because he was outside her house.”

The court heard that the situation had caused Moane stress, anxiety and depression, and the mother-of-two had now secured accommodation elsewhere.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Moane was ordered to pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and an £85 surcharge.