Two women who had a night-time confrontation with two acquaintances after visiting their home late at night have been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Catherine Emma Moore and Tara Lee Ashlyn Cowell had visited the two victims at their home in Willaston in the early hours of the morning on April 22, 2015, almost two years before last week’s court appearance.

For the prosecution, Hazel Carroon said 28-year-old Moore had a grievance with the victim concerning an item she said had gone missing from her handbag and also over ownership of a car. She said in the lead up to the incident, the victim had received threats and later, on the evening of the attack, saw a taxi pull up outside her house.

She said Moore appeared outside the house swore and yelled and then went inside and attacked the victim.

During the struggle the victim sustained cuts and bruises to her head, including a haematoma and was left with a tender jaw. She received treatment at Noble’s Hospital.

Moore, who lives at Glen Vine, was tracked down by police at about 4.40am and Cowell presented herself at the police station after the incident.

She told police she had agreed to go with Moore to the address to retrieve a set of car keys. She said she had remained outside on the path for a time as the argument went on between Moore and the victim. Hearing the fracas unfolding inside, she said she had gone in with the intention of breaking it up.

Moore told police she had not gone with the intention of starting a fight but she admitted grappling with the other women.

Representing Moore, Jim Travers told the court his client’s behaviour had been beyond reproach for the past year. He said the dispute had been brief and Moore had left of her own volition.

’It should have been sorted out more amicably in daylight hours and not when she was under the influence,’ he said.

Speaking for 30-year-old Cowell, of Castlemona Avenue, Stephen Wood said his client went into the house intending to support her friend.

’She received a blow to the head. Her behaviour from that point on, crossed the line,’ he said.

He added Cowell had been affected by a number of traumatic events in her past.

Both women admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Passing sentence Deemster Alastair Montgomerie said it had not all been one-sided but added: ’You went round in the early hours of the morning and it was always going to end badly.’

Moore received two years’ probation as an alternative to six months’ custody; Cowell received seven months, suspended for two years.