Two women got into a drunken fight with two others at a farewell party for a soldier heading to Afghanistan.

Chantelle Walcott, 25, pulled one of the girls up the stairs by her hair and attacked her. She also tried to punch another as she tumbled into a bath.

Amanda Flowers, 34, then punched the second victim in the shoulder following a row about an overheard conversation.

But they escaped jail after they pleaded guilty to the assaults at Manchester Crown Court.

One of the women attacked by Walcott was left with bruises on her body, sections of hair missing and fractures to her front teeth.

Chris Slater, prosecuting, said: “The brother of Miss Flowers was being posted to Afghanistan. That was the reason for the social gathering.”

He said the fight began after Walcott took offence at a comment she had overheard at the party, on September 6, 2008.

She tried to punch Verity Boachie as the victim fell into the bath and then dragged Charlotte Casson up the stairs by the hair, where she punched her several times.

Flowers punched Ms Boachie on the shoulder.

Unemployed

The court was told unemployed Walcott, who has two young children, had also attacked a friend on their way home from the pub while she was on bail in July last year.

The victim told hospital staff she had been set-upon by a group of men as Walcott ran away.

Walcott, of Trongate Walk, Harpurhey, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of common assault.

Flowers, of Holway Walk, Harpurhey, pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.

Nina Grahame, for Walcott, said alcohol had been behind her 'unpleasant behaviour' but she had been seeking to address it.

Laura Cawsey, for Flowers, said she had recognised that drink sometimes led to violence.

The court was told pair both have previous convictions for assault.

Walcott was sentenced to a total of 12 months prison, suspended for two years. This included 12 months for first assault, three months for second assault and four months for third assault to run concurrently

She will be supervised for 12 months and was ordered to do 100 hours of community work.

Flowers was given a community order with supervision for one year. She was also ordered to attend a women's programme.

Judge Appleby told Walcott the consequences of her behaviour had been 'serious'. He told Flowers: “Hopefully this is the last time I will see you in court.”