A VALE woman who carried out a violent attack in an Alexandria street has been spared a prison sentence.

Lynn Bovill, who has previously spent time behind bars, assaulted another woman near her home in Craig Avenue on October 29 last year by striking her with a weapon, causing her to fall to the ground, and then grabbing her by the hair.

Bovill, 36, appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday, September 13, after being found guilty at a trial of charges of assault to injury and threatening or abusive behaviour.

In addition to the assault, Bovill also shouted, swore, threatened violence and left both the victim of her attack, and another woman, in a state of fear and alarm.

Sentence had been deferred for social work reports.

Sheriff William Gallacher noted: “It’s been six years since her last custodial sentence. I can impose an order for supervision and unpaid work.”

Bovill’s lawyer, Brian McGuire, indicated his client would accept such a sentence.

Sheriff Gallacher told Bovill: “You know as well as I do how the system works.

“You put yourself in a precarious position. But there is another option available, and I think you will benefit from supervision.

“You know that you must comply - if you don’t, you will be breached, and you’ll come back before me.”

Bovill will be supervised by social workers for 18 months and must complete 100 hours of unpaid work by January as a punishment.