A Hallowe'en drinking session among friends turned nasty after one of the women repeatedly punched the host in the face, a court has heard.

Police were called to a property in Welshpool to find the injured woman "in a great deal of distress" after she told Sarah Morgan to leave her house because of her behaviour.

The 42-year-old must wear an electronic tag for 56 days after she pleaded guilty to assaulting Nadia Thomas during the early hours of November 1.

Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told that a group of friends went to Ms Thomas' house for an evening of playing music and drinking wine.

At around 1.15am, Morgan "suddenly changes for no apparent reason" and then clenched her fist and knuckles before moving quickly and began repeatedly punching Ms Thomas in the face. The court was told the assault lasted around 10 to 15 seconds and left the victim with mild bruising under her eye.

Robert Hanratty, defending, said Morgan had turned to alcohol after struggling to cope with the loss of her mum during the lockdown.

"She’s had very tough time as a child and through her ensuing years with ups and downs, mostly downs," he said.

"She lost her mother, which had a very dramatic impact on her mental wellbeing. Sarah is the first to admit that. She turned to drink and wasn't looking after herself. Those closest to her were also not being able to cope with a loss. The mother was a towering figure in their lives.

"She's been very isolated but she is making an effort. She's made a big effort in her appearance today."

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He continued: "It was drinking session which turned a bit sour. The injured person wanted her out of the house because Sarah’s behaviour deteriorated and it became physical. She accepts she overacted by the householder's demands to leave her house."

The court was told that Morgan, of Bron-y-Buckley, Welshpool, is currently serving an 18-month community order for threatening behaviour and theft.

Magistrates sentence Morgan to a nine-month community order that will run concurrently with her current order. She must wear an electronic tag for 56 days, complete 10 rehabilitation days and pay £199 in court costs and fines.

Stephen Pembroke, chair of the magistrates' bench, said: "These tags will pick up any type of alcohol at all. You won’t be able to break the system so you will need to abide to the order."

He added: "There will be no compensation because you all had quite a bit to drink and it would be unsuitable in the circumstances."

Morgan said she will "try my best" and thanked the magistrates as she left the courtroom.