A homeless woman who slapped someone for commenting on her table manners was given an absolute discharge in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Veneeka Richards, 41, admitted to assaulting a woman at The Salvation Army's 'Dreaming in Colours' programme around 10.40 am on August 20.

The court heard she was having breakfast at the feeding programme when the complainant spoke to her about the way she was eating.

Richards grew mad at the alleged insult and began cursing at the woman, which prompted a case worker to take Richards' outside for a talk.

The complainant was sitting on a chair watching television later that morning when she felt a blow to the back of her head, followed by severe pain.

During a police interview Richards confessed to the offence and said she struck the complainant because she was "annoying" her.

Yesterday the defendant said she was a patient at Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) and was not taking her medication at the time of the offence.

She said: "I am sorry. I wasn't really well at the time. I told her I wasn't feeling well at the time and not to bother me."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner replied: "I recognise that you may have difficulties.

"You are in a caring environment and you are smart enough or well enough to know you cannot behave this way.

"If you behave like this, apart from coming to court and wasting my time, you will loose out on getting the care you need."