A MOTHER-of-two who attacked her former partner with a rounders bat in front of his children has been spared jail.

Charmaine Slark, 25, struck Jordan Udell repeatedly on the leg with the bat as he tried to shield himself in his car in Leigh Road, Wimborne, on October 11 last year. There were children in the back seat.

She then retreated and threw stones at him as he drove off.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Slark had already directed abusive language at Mr Udell and her own sister in a nearby Iceland store earlier that day.

Prosecutor Simon Jones said the victim received painful injuries and had been told there may have been permanent damage to his ligaments.

Passing a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, on Friday, March 27, Judge Brian Forster QC said her behaviour was "terrible" and "unacceptable".

He said he had decided to suspend the sentence as otherwise her children might be taken into foster care.

"You need to get a grip on your life, for your own benefit and for your children," he said.

The court heard Slark had a previous conviction for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm dating from 2004, for which she was given a 30 month sentence at a young offenders institution.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Udell said he was a keen football and rugby player but had been unable to take part since the incident. He also had to leave his job as a catering assistant and turn down a place at Wimborne Colts rugby.

In mitigation, Sam Trefgarne said his client had suffered domestic abuse while living in the Reading area, and was "keen" to address the causes of her own behaviour.

"She has shown remorse for the way in which she behaved," he said.

"Prison hasn't worked for her in the past. She needs rehabilitation in addition to any punitive element.

"She is keen to change."

Slark, of Glynville Close, Wimborne, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She was ordered to undergo 18 months supervision and attend the Thinking Skills programme.

She was also made subject to a ten year restraining order.