A mother-of-three was given a conditional discharge for assaulting a woman at her son’s school play.

Stephanie Hollis, 26, assaulted and used threatening words against Ashley Correia on December 4, prosecutor Maria Sofianos told Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Ms Hollis initially pleaded not guilty to common assault, but admitted she used threatening words against Ms Correia, telling her: “I’m going to bust your a**, because you’re too smart.”

Ms Sofianos told the court Hollis, of Devonshire, confronted Ms Correia after she overheard the complainant talking about her once the school play had finished.

“Your mouth’s too smart,” Hollis told Ms Correia, before following her up a flight of stairs and pushing her in the face.

Defending her actions, Hollis said she was provoked and that she believes in “dealing with it in the streets.”

“I didn’t make her bleed, so I don’t think that’s assault ... She started talking c**p to me. It’s her mouth. Her mouth’s too smart,” said Hollis.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner explained that pushing someone in the face amounts to common assault, adding: “Just because you don’t like someone’s mouth doesn’t give you the right to assault them.”

“I was told when someone hits you, you hit them back,” Hollis responded, before changing her plea to guilty.

“I think you’re the smart one,” said Mr Warner.

Mr Warner gave Hollis a conditional discharge, subject to 12 months’ probation and under the condition Hollis complies with any rehabilitation programme at court service’s discretion.