A RENTON woman who bludgeoned her partner over the head twice in a chilling attack with a hammer has escaped a jail term.

Vicious Jean McIntyre, 54, of Alexander Street, carried out the assault at the family home on February 9, this year.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Friday, when McIntyre appeared for sentence after being convicted after trial, attacked her partner striking him twice on the head with a hammer, leaving him with two "swollen" lumps on his head.

Prosecutor Emma Thomson said: "At 10pm police began on mobile patrol in the area.

"At 2.35am they were called to a house in Alexander Street where two people were standing.

"The woman, the accused, had a cut to her left eye and was bleeding.

"The man had two swollen lumps on his head and his forehead was bleeding.

£Paramedics were called to treat both parties. At 3.15am McIntyre was arrested and taken to Clydebank police office for questioning."

Defence lawyer Scott Adair said: "McIntyre was left needing two stitches. There had been a stand-off between the two of them.

" She took matters beyond self-defence when she produced a hammer. She had been punched by him.

"They had been in a relationship for a number of years but this was the final straw.

"She has a record of offences involving domestic matters."

Sheriff Moira Mackenzie told her: "I am persuaded on balance not to impose custody. This is a serious charge, using a weapon and striking a man on the head twice with a hammer."

McIntyre was put on a community payback order for 12 months and to be under the supervision of the Social Work Department.

She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, which was reduced from 200 hours, She was told to do the work within 12 months.