Court yesterday.

Lettitia Swan, of Lodge Point Lane, admitted assaulting another woman at a beauty salon on March 4.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told the court that Swan and the victim, Jalyn Eve, had been friends for ten years before the assault.

Around 10.45 a.m. Ms Eve was a customer at Shapers Hair & Beauty Salon when she was approached by Swan who began yelling.

Sgt. Taylor said the victim ignored the gesture and Swan said: "Don't play cute. I'll say what I have to say right here.'' Swan then slapped the victim in the forehead, causing a small cut above her right eye before leaving the salon.

Sgt. Taylor said the assault was apparently the final straw in an ongoing dispute concerning Swan's fiance.

Swan's lawyer Myron Simmons said: "Swan is not a violent person. She is not prone to this type of action. Her emotions just got the better of her. Since the injuries were minor, this should be a slap on the wrist. And if she does it again, the consequences will be more serious.'' Senior Magistrate Will Francis granted Swan a conditional discharge for the next 12 months.

But he told Swan if she committed another offence within that period, she would be fined $300.

"This is a course of action we take to try and prevent young people from having a criminal record,'' Mr. Francis explained. "If you keep your cool for 12 months we will not take $300 from you.''