A woman who launched a vicious attack on a friend after taking a “zombie” drug and drinking heavily has been spared jail.

Victoria Thompson punched Nicole Reynolds and struck her with an ashtray and a 4ft long metal bar, leaving her with a broken nose, cuts and bruises.

She was given a suspended sentence after a judge heard she had shown “profound” remorse and was a primary carer for her bipolar mother.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the two women were friends as a result of 25-year-old Thompson’s mother being in a relationship with the victim’s father.

Thompson went to Miss Reynolds’ flat in Charlton’s Way, Tunbridge Wells, in the early hours November 15 “to drink and chat”.

Prosecutor Kieran Brand said Thompson, who has a two-year-old daughter, took with her a new puppy, which did not please Miss Reynolds.

At some stage they took some “poppers”, which turned out to be the former legal high Spice, said to turn some users into zombies.

There was an argument because the puppy messed on the bedroom floor.

“The argument escalated,” said Mr Brand. “The defendant’s behaviour completely changed. She started to lash out at her. She repeatedly punched her to the face while holding her down.

“Miss Reynolds grabbed her by the throat and kicked her away. They ended up on the floor. She continued to punch her. Miss Reynolds managed to break free and run to the bedroom.”

Thompson laughed before grabbing the ashtray and striking the victim with it.

"It was a vicious, sustained attack on someone who had been a friend to you" - Recorder George Pulman QC

Miss Reynolds managed to get Thompson out of the flat but let her back in because she feared she would damage the door.

Thompson grabbed the metal bar from the hallway and struck her on the left shoulder. She told the victim: “I hope your dad breaks your ******* neck.”

She left after causing £200 worth of damage to a television.

Police officers arrived to find Miss Reynolds bleeding with injuries to her face. She was taken to hospital and treated for a 2.5cm cut to her shoulder, a fractured nasal bone and bruising, swelling and grazing to her face and body.

Thompson was found staggering around in Showfields Road. She became aggressive and spat at one of the officers and kicked him.

When interviewed, she said she had no memory of what happened. She thought they must have used cannabis, but Mr Brand said it must have been Spice.

Thompson, of St James’ Road, Tunbridge Wells, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, criminal damage and assaulting a police officer.

She had 17 previous convictions, some for violence, but had not offended since 2014.

Unemployed Thompson was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work.

She will also be under a tagged curfew from 9pm to 6am for 12 months and have to pay the victim £500 compensation at the rate of £10 a week.

Passing sentence, Recorder George Pulman QC said: “It was a vicious, sustained attack on someone who had been a friend to you. It is aggravated by the use of two different weapons.

“Your culpability is high. I have noted you have expressed profound remorse which I accept is genuine. You have responsibility to your mother.”

He added: “I have been persuaded that the sentence can be suspended. What your friend suffered was extensive. It is important she receives compensation.”