Mum whipped ‘completely innocent’ woman in the face with a dog lead in ‘outrageous’ school gate row

Carla also suffered a 1cm laceration to her nose plus damage to two of her teeth.

Lawless voluntarily went to the local police station the following day.

The mum-of-one told cops Carla went up to her and made her feel threatened - which prompted her response.

Lawless, who has a PTSD diagnosis, accepted she hit the victim three times and had made comments towards her - but denied using a dog lead. 

Martine Snowden, defending, said Lawless had to deal with her dad dying violently shortly before the attack.

The court heard how she previously fell victim to violent men as well which resulted in "unresolved trauma".

Ms Snowden added Lawless has been receiving therapy ever since and making good progress.

Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “This was a pretty outrageous offence committed by you.

"She had done nothing wrong to you at all, she was a completely innocent victim.

"In this case however, I am satisfied that there is a genuine underlying mental health issue which requires treatment, is being treated and you are responding positively to therapy."

In a victim impact statement written in February this year, Carla said she still suffers panic attacks from the incident.

Lawless, who has three previous convictions, was sentenced to two years suspended for 18 months.