AN intruder beat up a Southampton woman who was cooking at home with a friend and in front of two children.

Gemma Lloyd was suddenly confronted by Kirsty Hillier who repeatedly punched her in the face and on the head and kicked her legs and body.

Prosecutor Richard Withey said that the victim, who offered no resistance, was then dragged by her hair on to a sofa where the assault continued, and in addition to punches and kicks, was also bitten on the forehead and lip.

Ms Lloyd suffered black eyes, bite marks and bruising, and was left "extremely shocked, scared and frightened".

Hillier admitted that she had been drunk and under the influence of drugs when she went to the house amid rumours that Ms Lloyd had taken an item of jewellery from her grandmother. She denied it, said Mr Withey.

Hillier, 28, of Purvis Gardens, Southampton, admitted causing actual bodily harm and received an eight-month suspended sentence coupled with 12 months' supervision.

At the city crown court, Judge Derwin Hope described the assault as "extremely nasty and vicious".