A MOTHER-of-one grabbed her step-sister's hair, dragged her to the floor of a Malvern store and kicked her in the head as horrified shoppers looked on, a court has heard.

Louise Nicholson launched the attack in the town's Argos store after she spotted Amy Perks shopping inside, Worcester magistrates were told.

Shop staff and Nicholson's mother rushed to grab the 22-year-old and pull her off her stepsister, said crown prosecutor Mark Soper.

Yesterday, 22-year-old Nicholson admitted assault by beating in front of Worcester magistrates, relating to the incident on Wednesday, July 31.

"In the past various parents have formed a relationship which upset her," said Mark Soper, prosecuting.

He said that animosity between the two women stemmed from a relationship between Nicholson's father and Miss Perks' mother.

"Miss Perks was in Argos with Miss Nicholson when Miss Nicholson started shouting, grabbed her hair and pulled her down on to the ground and there was a kick to her head.

"Miss Perks only received some reddening to her scalp and the attack did not leave any cuts or bruises," said Mr Soper.

Edward Gaynor-Smith revealed that Nicholson, from Pickersleigh Grove, Malvern, and Miss Perks had previously had a good relationship.

"It remained good until recently. The two women saw each other, words were exchanged and in Miss Nicholson's own words she 'lost it'."

"She regrets what she has done and is ashamed of her actions."

He said that previously Miss Perks had stomped round to Nicholson's house and accused her of spreading rumours about her mother.

Nicholson was given a 12-month conditional discharge for the incident, ordered to pay Miss Perks £50 compensation and court costs of £35.