A 52-year-old woman assaulted another mum in the school playground in a row over bullying, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Elizabeth Knott slapped the other woman across the face after berating her in front of other mothers and children.

But defence solicitor Roger Pickles said the matter had first come to a head at the PTA fair when the victim, Audrey Boland, reduced his client’s child and grandchild to floods of tears.

Knott, of Chapter Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assault. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £25 compensation and £60 costs.

Claire Grant, prosecuting, said both women had children at the same school and there had been allegations and counter allegations of bullying.

“Unfortunately the adults have become involved,” said Mrs Grant.

She said that on July 7 Mrs Boland went to pick her child up from school and there was an incident in the school yard.

“The defendant approached Mrs Boland and berated her in front of other parents and children about what she perceived to be her involvement in this bullying,” said Mrs Grant. “Audrey Boland felt her child was the one being bullied but what is accepted by the defendant is that after a verbal altercation she has slapped the other woman across the face.”

Mr Pickles said the original allegation had been that Knott had punched the other woman which she had always denied.

“Had it been charged as a slap my client would have accepted that and, because she is a woman of previous good character, she would have been dealt with by way of a caution,” said Mr Pickles. “It is very sad that at her age she now has a criminal record.”

Mr Pickles said his client had a child and a grandchild at the school who had been accused by Mrs Boland of making fun of her daughter.

There had been a number of incidents and Knott had been to see the head teacher, Mr Pickers said.

“She decided the only way to stop what was happening was to confront Mrs Boland and tell other parents what was going on,” said Mr Pickles. “My client said what she had to say and turned to walk away. Mrs Boland said she would “have her” and at that point my client saw red and slapped her.”

He said Knott’s child had now left the school and she had resigned from the PTA and the Church Committee.

“She has lost her good name and she is deeply ashamed,” added Mr Pickles.