argument with a friend turned into a fistfight.

Karimah J. Swan, of St. John's Road, pleaded guilty yesterday in Magistrates' Court to assaulting another woman.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Swan went to the complainant's Pembroke residence on March 31 and there was a confrontation.

Swan apparently grabbed the other woman by the neck, threw her to the ground and proceeded to kick and punch her.

Swan was later arrested and taken to Hamilton Police Station. Swan told Police that the complainant had a helmet in her hand, and she felt threatened.

When Swan was told by Police that she would be charged with the offence, she responded: "Yeah, right, no problem''.

But when Magistrate Edward King asked her why she assaulted the other woman, Swan replied: "She was my friend, and I went to her house to talk some things out. But it was self defence -- she hit me first.'' Mr. King ordered her bound over on good behaviour for 12 months.