Mum-of-two knocked out her neighbour's teeth in her living room then told police: "I know I have done wrong"

A mum was left so 'conscious' about her looks after having her two front teeth punched out by a neighbour that she ended her relationship. Charlie Smith has been left embarrassed by her appearance following the attack by 39-year-old Lisa Bell, Warrington Magistrates Court heard.

She told police she now 'constantly' covers her mouth in public, only shops online and has been left fearing what might happen to her. Mum-of-two Bell, who lives three doors away from Miss Bell, arrived at her victim's home before attacking in her living room.

The motive was unknown. As she was grilled by police following the incident, Bell said: "I know I have done wrong."

READ MORE: Emergency crews on scene after reports of fire at house in Bury - latest updates

The court heard that Bell, whose children play in Miss Smith's garden, attacked her victim at her home in Runcorn, Cheshire, last July 27. Robert Earl, prosecuting, said: “She has seen the victim in the living room and punched her in the mouth causing her two front teeth to fall out.

"Police attended at the address and the defendant was spoken to outside by the officers. She said, ‘I know I have done wrong’, and when asked if she had any injuries, she replied, ‘I have split my knuckles off her teeth'. She was interviewed under caution and gave various excuses.''

In a statement to police Miss Smith said she was having two implants made for her by an NHS dentist. She said: “As a result of this crime I have suffered so much stress emotionally and physically.

“I feel extremely self conscious of my personal appearance. I am constantly covering my mouth, I am so conscious of missing my two front teeth. I do not like meeting new people and feel that people are looking at me differently.”

Miss Smith said that she does not hang around the school gates to avoid contact with other parents following the attack. She added: “I do online shopping to avoid having to go out.

"Since this incident my anxiety has got so much worse. I am on medication which has been increased. I am also on medication for panic attacks.

“I live in close proximity to Lisa on the same street. I have not been going out. I am worried about meeting her or something else happening to me. I feel more anxious that something may happen and this affects my sleep.

“My partner at the time, I felt so conscious about my appearance that I ended the relationship. I feel intimidated. Even before I bump into her it makes me feel anxious to the point where I have panic attacks.

“I tend to avoid going out. I do not want to go back to college due to my physical appearance and the lack of confidence. I stay at home most days.”

Miss Smith said that she preferred to speak over the phone with the school regarding her children, rather than face to face meetings. She added: “I am making numerous trips to the dentist in Knutsford and having to undergo a lot of treatment as they are making me two front teeth. As I do not drive I have to take taxis, I am too self conscious to take public transport and go by bus.

“I have to pay for myself, it is £40 each time. I have made eight trips. The treatment is ongoing. I feel extremely lucky that my treatment is being paid for by the NHS. I would not have been able to afford to pay for two new front teeth.”

Bell, of Runcorn, had 12 previous offences on her record including assault, battery and intimidating a witness. Her lawyer Peter Green said: ''The defendant is at risk of a custodial sentence but she has two young children under the age of 18 and there is nobody else to look after them.

"She is frightened of the prospect of going into immediate custody.'' Bell was ordered by magistrates to pay Miss Smith £1,500 in compensation after she admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

She was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity. Bell was also issued with a 18-month restraining order and told to pay a £154 victim surcharge.