A Lanarkshire assault victim ended up in the cells after failing to attend court to give evidence against a man accused of attacking her.
Mum-of-four Laura McIntyre was fined £200 when Sheriff Thomas Millar found her guilty of contempt of court.
She was a key witness in the case against Brian Smyth at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Smith, 35, was due to go on trial accused of assaulting McIntyre at his home in Newfield Road, Stonehouse, but changed his plea and admitted punching her.
His not guilty plea to a charge of striking her boyfriend on the head with a bottle to his permanent disfigurement and the danger of his life was accepted.
The court heard that Smyth and his partner were drinking with McIntyre and her boyfriend on November 8, 2021.
Chloe O'Hara, prosecuting, said: "Laura McIntyre made what she believed to be a sarcastic comment towards the accused who took umbrage and struck her on the face with the back of his closed fist.
"An argument broke out between the four before McIntyre and the victim left the house and returned to their home. McIntyre then contacted the police."
Sheriff Thomas Millar deferred sentence on Smyth, who admitted previous convictions, until next month for background reports and continued his bail.
McIntyre, 39, was then brought from the cells to face a contempt of court charge, having failed to attend on two occasions as a witness.
Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said: "It was an oversight. She hasn't had her problems to seek and she suffers from depression and anxiety."
Sheriff Millar told McIntyre: "I'll deal with this by way of a financial penalty to bring home to you the seriousness of the matter.
"You could have been kept in custody for a lot longer than you were."
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