Lindsey Martin punched and kicked the 16-year-old before stripping off some of her clothes.

The victim, Kimberley Jenkins, was then marched topless to Martin's house, where the attack with the hot liquid took place.

Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday how Martin, 30, attacked Miss Jenkins because she believed she had slept with her boyfriend.

Martin, of Calf Close Lane, Jarrow, was spared jail and given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to two assault charges.

The attack happened at around 12.30am on May 17 this year after Martin
bumped into her victim, who was walking to a friend's house in Jarrow.

Prosecuter Neil Pallister told the court that Martin approached her and asked if she had been seeing her partner Paul Miller.

Mr Pallister said: "When challenged the complainant said she had been with the man a few weeks ago, believing the relationship with the defendant to be at an end.

"The defendant didn't believe her, and punched in the face. She pulled her by the hair to the ground, and punched and kicked her repeatedly."

The court heard that another woman also took part in the attack, though no charges have yet been brought against her.

Mr Pallister said the girl's top and bra were ripped off, leaving her "on the ground in nothing but a pair of trousers".

She was then marched - topless and wearing no shoes - to Martin's house.

Mr Pallister said: "Inside, the door was locked. There was a further
altercation when the defendant picked up a hot wok, which contained liquid.

"The liquid was thrown at the girl, causing a 3in burn to the right
shoulder."

In all, the attack lasted an hour, before the victim was given clothes and allowed to leave the house.

The girl reported the attack to police, and was treated at South Tyneside District Hospital for swelling, bruising, a minor nose fracture and burns to her shoulder.

Barry Robson, defending, said Martin had served the equivalent of a
10-month sentence after being remanded in custody in May.

He said the other girl had played her part in the initial attack, but Martin was responsible for the scalding.

He said: "The three girls were in the house, but the defendant has thrown some hot liquid - she fully accepts responsibility for that."

The court heard that the attack came just weeks after the mum-of-one was
given an 18-month community order for another assault.

The judge, Recorder Keith Miller, gave Martin a 36-week jail sentence,
suspended for two years.

He told her: "She must have been absolutely terrified by your behaviour. Such behaviour was wholly inexcusable.

"I accept you do have remorse for what happened and have not found going to prison for the first time easy to deal with.

"Clearly the effect on the victim was awful. I have seen the photographs which show the injuries she suffered, mostly a bruising nature. It was fortunate they were not more long lasting."

The judge said a jail sentence would have been inevitable had Martin not
already served five months on remand.