A WOMAN dodged jail after ganging up with a friend to attack another woman.

Donna Marie Henry, from Possil, claimed she was supporting Cheryl Riddick when she assaulted the victim on April 28 last year.

The two women appeared in the dock together at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The depute fiscal said: "The incident took place in a residential area with housing across the street.

"At the time of the offence members of the public were nearby and walking past."

Around 3.25pm the witness was aware of people shouting up to her window within her accommodation on Mansion Street.

She looked out and saw both of the accused, who she knew, so went out to speak with them.

The depute fiscal added:"Upon arriving outside the witness and the accused Riddick had been talking which then formed into an argument.

"The accused Riddick shouted for the accused Henry who walked around from the front of the building.

"The witness tried to walk away and go back into the building but was stopped by Riddick who pulled her by the jacket."

At this point Henry approached the witness and grabbed her by the neck.

The woman then tried to pull free and open the door to the building but Henry grabbed her by the hair.

There was a struggle on the ground and the accused let go of the victim.

When police arrested Riddick, 42, she said: "I did grab her and pull her on to the path. I did grab her."

Henry added: "Of course I helped my friend."

Henry's defence brief said: "It seems to have been an earlier disagreement - nothing to do with her but she seems to have got involved.

"It seems to have eventually run out of steam and the parties walked off."

Sheriff Valerie Mays said to Henry: "You pleaded guilty to a much reduced charged but you know you have a bad record with several assaults."

She gave the 43-year-old a compulsory supervision order to last for 12 months and that forces Henry to work with addiction services as a direct alternative to jail.

Riddick was placed on a structured deferred sentence.