A Pembroke woman admitted striking her mother, but told the court this morning that she acted in self-defence.

Shaunte Seaman, 27, pleaded guilty to a single count of assaulting Nadine Taylor in an incident on January 15.

Prosecutor Loxly Ricketts told the court that on the day of the altercation, the complainant was at her home in Smith’s when her daughter came in.

Seaman then allegedly said: “Why can’t you do your own dirty work? I have a mind to punch you in the face.”

Mr Ricketts said Ms Taylor picked up her phone an began to call Police when Seaman pulled the phone from her hands. When the complaint went to pick it up, Seaman punched her in the face.

The complainant’s landlord then intervened, pulling Seaman off Ms Taylor.

After pleading guilty to assault, she challenged the Crown’s version of events, telling the court: “Me and my mother have a long history [of disagreements]. A very, very long one. Never has it been physical before.

“I’m pregnant. She came at me with an object and I slapped her. I never punched her. When someone is coming at you with an object and you’re pregnant, how do you take that? I was protecting myself and my baby.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered a social inquiry report be carried out on Seaman before sentencing, telling the defendant that she will have the opportunity to fully explain her story to the report writers.

He adjourned the matter until March 26, releasing Seaman on $2,000 bail.