A RISCA woman has avoided jail after she knocked out a tooth of the man she was having an affair with during an assault in which she hit him with a glass milk bottle.

Jodie Hargreaves, aged 41, of Preseli Close, Trenewydd Park, Risca, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court today charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

She pleaded guilty on the day of her trial in July.

The court heard Hargreaves was having an affair with a man called Robert Newbury but the relationship was 'rocky' around December of last year.

Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, said on December 24, the defendant attended the home of her lover but when he refused to open the door as he was unwell, Hargreaves began kicking and banging on the front door.

He said when the defendant was let into the house she dug her nails into Mr Newbury's neck. The court heard, she then locked the door and said she wanted to have a 'chat with him.'

Mr Rees said the defendant punched the victim in the face two or three times and knocked one of his teeth out. She also caused his nose to bleed.

He tried to get past her but she picked up a glass milk bottle and hit him with it two or three times.

Mr Rees said the victim tried to get away and as he was running the defendant pushed him from behind and kicked him two or three times to the thigh when he was on the floor.

He said 'in fear' Mr Newbury ran into a shop and asked the man to call the police.

Mr Rees said: "He was covered in blood at that stage and shouting help me, help me."

The court heard the police arrived and arrested Hargreaves. Mr Newbury's injuries included three wounds to his left hand; a cut upper lip, he lost a front tooth which he had to have a plate put in, partial loss to another tooth and injury to his nose.

The defendant told police she was 'upset' as the couple had had a row. Mr Rees said the defendant told officers the victim 'hit himself over the head with the milk bottle.'

The court heard the defendant has no previous convictions.

Nigel Fryer, defending, said Hargreaves had suffered in recent years mental health problems including panic disorder, panic attacks, depression and had a fear of vomiting.

He said the extramarital affair with Mr Newbury was a 'toxic relationship on both sides' that had been going on for many months.

He told the court Hargreaves suffered with issues of jealousy.

He said: "This is a serious matter, one she is not proud of. One that had clearly arisen because of her involvement in an affair, an affair that was not good for her overall mental health. One that she felt there was further infidelity on the part of Mr Newbury."

He said the defendant's 13-year-old son was the 'centre of her world' and urged the judge to give Hargreaves a suspended sentence.

Recorder Nicholas Gareth Jones sentenced Hargreaves to a 10 month prison term for the 'sustained attack' which he suspended for two years.

He also ordered Hargreaves to complete a 20 hours rehabilitation activity requirement.