AN expectant mother was left suffering nightmares after she was attacked and punched in the stomach by her neighbour.

Carla Jane Dayas also ripped chunks of hair from her neighbour's scalp during the assault outside her Newtown home, having returned from a day out during which she necked 12 gin and tonics.

The attack – in which 27-year-old Dayas also assaulted two other people – occurred at 2am on October 9.

Magistrates in Welshpool on Tuesday, November 8, said the incident was so serious their powers of punishment were insufficient, and sent the case to the crown court for sentencing on November 29.

Tuesday’s hearing was told the victim was five months pregnant at the time, and was left petrified for her safety, and that of her partner and unborn baby, following the attack.

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Dayas, of Heol y Coleg, Newtown, admitted three counts of assault – causing actual bodily harm to her neighbour, and assaulting her neighbour's partner and another neighbour.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Dayas had gone to Leominster drinking for the day with the other neighbour on Saturday, October 8.

“She had drunk 12 gin and tonics then went back to his place, where she began badmouthing the victim,” said Mrs Tench.

“The victim awoke to hear banging on her door. It was 2am and the defendant was heard to say ‘I’ll kill you, I’ll kill your baby’. She was outside the door and appeared very drunk, she was shouting incoherently."

Dayas began to say she did not believe the victim was pregnant, and after realising she was being recorded lunged towards her victim, who turned away before being punched in the mouth.

She then punched the victim's partner as he pushed her away, before Dayas was seen dragging her pregnant victim to the ground by her hair and punching her in the stomach.

County Times: Welshpool Magistrates CourtWelshpool Magistrates Court

The other neighbour, Ms Tench said, "heard hair being ripped from the victim's scalp".

"He said she wasn’t retaliating in any way, while the defendant dragged her towards the pavement shouting ‘you stupid cow’ at her.”

Both victims escaped into their flat where they phoned the police, before Dayas pushed the other defendant into a post.

“Police found loose hair on the ground and could see areas of the victim's scalp where hair had been ripped," Ms Tench added.

"A large amount of hair had been pulled out. Mr Powell had visible scratches to his head and behind his ear.”

Mrs Tench said Dayas was eventually located at her home the following day and gave a no comment interview to police.

One victim impact statement accused Dayas of bringing "carnage" to the neighbourhood.

Meanwhile the pregnant victim said: “I have nightmares, worrying about having a miscarriage. I am constantly checking the Ring doorbell in case it’s Carla. I am petrified for my safety, that of my partner and my unborn baby.”

She said midwife checks had confirmed the baby was okay.

Acting for Dayas, who was reportedly also pregnant at the same time, Rob Hanratty said: “There was a lot of drama here.

“There are two highly vulnerable individuals. Carla is very vulnerable herself, she has had a lot of involvement with the court.

“She has had a lot of issues, including alcohol related, and has come to the attention of police and courts recently, acquiring a criminal record."

He added: “There was something of an issue prior to this and the defendant doesn’t deny she went round to have it out with her. She opened the door and was immediately filming her, which was quite provocative."

Probation officer Julian Davies said Dayas had been signed off from work since March with issues such as mental health as well as drink and drugs.

“Her alcohol use became problematic about 12 months ago and she says she now drinks 8 gin and tonics a day,” said Mr Davies.