A mother-of-four hit her niece with "an unknown metal implement" after a row at a family function.
Nicola Johnson, 31, left her relative Kelly Willett with bruising to her left arm and shoulder after the attack in a pub, Colchester magistrates heard yesterday.
Christian Meikle, prosecuting, said the family had been celebrating Johnson's father's 60th birthday at the Maypole, on Berechurch Hall Road, on October 7.
An argument started between Johnson and one of her sisters, and Johnson left after a brief scuffle.
She later returned to the pub with "an unknown metal implement" and "struck out" at her niece, Mr Meikle said.
Johnson, of Onslow Crescent, Berechurch, admitted common assault and was sentenced to a 12-month community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay £50 compensation.
Anna Perera, mitigating, said that Johnson's memory of the incident was "a blur".
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Published Tuesday, February 21, 2006
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