THE licensee of a Bradford city centre pub pulled some of the hair out of a former friend's head in an unprovoked attack, a court heard.

Debra Williamson, 43, of the Shoulder of Mutton pub, Kirkgate, was charged with assault by beating.

Williamson, who pleaded guilty, attacked former friend Tracy Snowden at the Ambassador pub, Sunbridge Road, Bradford at around 10pm on December 13 last year.

The two were described as former friends who had fallen out during a holiday they had taken together shortly before the incident.

Williamson approached and grabbed Snowden, who was out drinking with friends, by the hair and used such force that "some of the victim's hair was pulled out".

The pair fell to the floor and then Williamson got on top of her and punched Snowden, who had suffered an injury to her left elbow, in the head and face, Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court heard today.

Snowden was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary for treatment but had not suffered a fractured elbow as first suspected.

Instead, she sustained whiplash-type injuries in the attack and has been unable to work since.

Williamson alleged she used "excessive force in self-defence".

The pair were later restrained and separated by three doormen at the pub.

Mark Haigh, prosecuting, said: "The defendant approached her victim in an attempt to speak to her about the fall-out both parties had had.

"But Snowden did not wish to speak to her.

"While the victim was on the floor, the defendant started to assault the victim while astride her and was lying on her back."

Deputy District Judge Adam Moran handed Williamson a £200 compensation order and she was also told to pay £65 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

In a statement from Snowden, which was read out in court yesterday, she said: "She was yanking my hair very hard.

"My elbow was very painful."

Kevin Walker, mitigating, says Williamson was "fully remorseful" for her "ridiculous" actions against her former friend.

He said: "She understands she has done something completely ridiculous and feels completely ashamed.

"She is fully remorseful of this in the cold light of day.

"She made full admissions and is completely sorry for what she has done. She should not have done it.

"This offence may well have consequences to her licence.

"She said in her police interview that she had acted in self-defence.

"Thankfully these injuries did not result in a fracture."