A WOMAN who hit her uncle on the leg with a metal bar during a family row has been ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Lee Boutell suffered a deep gash on his shin, measuring 4cm by 1cm, and needed stitches following the attack outside his home in Mayflower Avenue, Harwich, in January, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Michael Crimp, prosecuting, told the court there had been an argument between Mr Boutell and his nephew on New Year’s Eve and on January 12 Mr Boutell had been at home with his children when his niece Kirsty Moore, her boyfriend and her brother visited him.

A melee had taken place on the footpath outside the property during which Moore had hit Mr Boutell with an iron bar.

Mr Crimp said Moore claimed she was acting in self-defence when she struck the blow but accepted she had used excessive force.

Moore, 22, of Brewers Court, Harwich, admitted assaulting Mr Boutell causing him actual bodily harm and was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Emma Nash, for Moore, said her client had no previous convictions and the bar she had used had come from inside Mr Boutell’s house.

She said Moore had hit her uncle with the bar after he had been aggressive towards her.