A RECOVERING drug user has been told to stay clear of Colchester after a savage attack on a perceived love rival where she kicked her in the head.

Sarah Miller assaulted another woman in a service area of Card Factory in Long Wyre Street, Colchester, when both were homeless in January.

A worker saw Miller screaming that the victim had “slept with her man” as she knocked her to the floor and repeatedly kicked and stamped on her head.

The witness heard a crack and the victim was treated for a broken bone below her ear.

Miller, 32, denied the attack when she was arrested but later admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

She also admitted breaching a conditional discharge she had been given for battery when last summer in St Nicholas Square, Colchester, she had thrown a can of beer at her boyfriend and shoved her thumbs in his eyes in front of PCSOs.

Judge David Goodin suspended Miller’s nine month jail sentence for two years at Ipswich Crown Court after hearing about work she has been doing to give up booze, crack and heroin since she has been on bail.

He said: “This savage attack, as it was described by the shop worker who witnessed you pushing her down, before stamping down on her was a good attempt to get yourself sent straight back to prison.

“I have decided by the narrowest of margins that sending you immediately to prison might do more harm than good.”

Miller is now living with her mother in Holbrook, Suffolk, and Judge Goodin stopped short of banning her from Colchester, but warned her she may be best to stay away.

He said: “I would advise you to stay clear of the place for a good long time.

“This is your second conviction for violence and you do not want to be getting any more.”

Miller was given a nine month drug rehabilitation order where she will be regularly tested and must complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

A victim surcharge of £140 must also be paid.