AN argument over 20 pence escalated into a full-blown assault in St Neots Market Square, a court heard. Twenty-year-old Nadia Rauf had begged a group of drinkers for a loan outside the New Inn pub in the town centre, Huntingdonshire magistrates heard. Rau

AN argument over 20 pence escalated into a full-blown assault in St Neots Market Square, a court heard.

Twenty-year-old Nadia Rauf had begged a group of drinkers for a loan outside the New Inn pub in the town centre, Huntingdonshire magistrates heard.

Rauf, who has Tourettes, pleaded guilty to common assault after punching and pulling the hair of a woman in the Market Square on April 11 this year.

Prosecutor John Nooijen told the court how Rauf had been drinking in the New Inn until 20 minutes past midnight.

She approached a group of drinkers asking for some money to make a phone call, then set about a woman in the group after being turned down.

The court heard how Rauf attacked the woman with such ferocity that she tore out chunks of hair and punched her victim, Mr Nooijen said.

Samantha Jewell, representing Rauf, said she had formerly been in care and had been bullied as a child but acknowledged she had a problem with her temper.

Rauf, of Elephant and Castle, Woodwalton, was handed an extended community order, told to attend the DrinkSense rehabilitation scheme and ordered to pay £50 compensation to her victim.