A FORMER charity worker has said she “just couldn’t believe” the injuries she caused to a 70-year-old pensioner.

At Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday Alexandra Farenden, aged 34, told the jury she had “just wanted to talk” when she approached Winifred Mary Oldham during an Abba tribute night at Avon Social Club in April 2015.

As a result of the altercation on April 11 Mrs Oldham received a scratch to her face and a serious injury to her arm which required a skin graft.

Farenden, of Tytherley Green in Bournemouth, denies causing grievous bodily harm.

Yesterday she told the court that she had "just wanted to talk” to Mrs Oldham about rumours that had been circulating about a charity the defendant had set up.

“Near the end of the night I went over and sat next to her. I leant in to speak to her and asked her what was going on,” added Farenden.

The court heard that in response Mrs Oldham verbally abused the defendant and then grabbed her hair pulling her off the chair onto her knees.

“I scrambled quickly back to my seat which is when Mary grabbed my hair again, this time close to the scalp pulling my head down to her lap,” she said.

“I was flailing my free hand above my head trying to get her to stop.

“I don’t recall coming into contact with Mary’s face, but I couldn’t see anything so I don’t know.”

Farenden then told the court she grabbed whatever she could with her hands and squeezed in order to get Mrs Oldham to stop.

She said that as soon as Mrs Oldham let go of her – she then also let go of the victim and left the room.

She said there was no indication that Mrs Oldham was hurt and was shocked when she was told about her injuries.

“I would never have approached her if I thought there was going to be a problem,” said Farenden.

“I just thought we would have a verbal discussion and that would be it.

“I was completely shocked by what happened and I honestly couldn’t believe her injuries.

“In hindsight it was a stupid thing for me to do.”

The prosecution claims that Farenden was drunk, approached the victim and was the first to be both verbally and physically abusive.

Sarah Jones, prosecuting, argued that the victim’s injuries were far more severe than the defendants.

But Farenden told the court that because she was younger she didn’t bleed as much as the defendant's.

“Perhaps if I was the same age as her I would have had blood loss as well.”

The trial continues.