Woman hit neighbour ‘after being spat on’

A woman who was spat upon while delivering Christmas cards picked up a stick and hit her assailant with it, a court heard.

Paula Michelle Banks, 49, said she was walking down a New Plymouth street on Christmas Eve to give out cards when one of the neighbours – with whom she had a difficult relationship – yelled abuse at her.

She stopped and approached the woman’s driveway.

An argument broke out and the woman spat in Banks’ face, the police summary of facts said.

Banks picked up a stick and hit the woman several times on her right arm.

The two had been friends and had lived in the same cul-de-sac but there was now animosity between them, according to the summary put before the New Plymouth District Court on Wednesday.

Defence lawyer Jo Woodcock said there had been issues with this particular neighbour.

Banks told the court she had started a petition to move the neighbour from the street.

‘‘When she spat in my face, I lost my temper,’’ Banks told the judge.

‘‘It won’t happen again.’’

Judge Philip Recordan told Banks this was not the way to resolve matters.

Banks had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault and was sentenced to come up if called upon for 12 months.

‘‘I will not be told the judge. back,’’ Banks