A Darlington woman gave her ex-partner's new girlfriend a black eye in a drunken fight, a court heard.

Celia Mason, of Beaconsfield Street, is starting a six-month supervision order after pleading guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

The 25-year-old admitted the offence, when she appeared at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard that the mother-of-two went to confront her ex-partner's girlfriend, Rebecca Reed, at her house after a night out drinking with a friend.

Mason knocked on Miss Reed's door and when there was no an answer she let herself in.

The court was told an argument soon followed during the incident, on July 31.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was having difficulty accepting her former boyfriend was in a new relationship.

"During the struggle, Miss Reed felt a blow to her eye and it began to bleed.

"The following day, the victim went to the hospital and was treated for a badly bruised black eye.

"Due to the attack, she had to take three days unpaid off work, because she works in a salon and has to look professional."

The court was told her former boyfriend is also the father of one of Mason's children.

In mitigation, Laura Saunders-Jerrom said: "My client has maintained contact with her former partner because he is the father of one of her children and that is the right thing to do.

"However, it would seem the complainant was envious of their history and would bombard my client with unpleasant text messages at all hours.

"The reason my client went to her house was because she had received a message from the complainant inviting her round so the pair could sort out their differences once and for all."

She said: "She is horrified by what happened and fully accepts responsibility."

Mason was also ordered to pay £80 in compensation.