A GRANDMOTHER of six admitted assault by beating at Poole Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Tilly Ayres, of Arne Avenue, Poole, pleaded guilty to assaulting Peter Jones at his home address in Legion Close, Poole, earlier this year.

The court heard how Ayres, aged 52, had been drinking at her brother's home when she decided to call a taxi. But she'd ran out of credit on her mobile phone so knocked on Mr Jones' door with a view to borrowing his.

Mr Jones, an elderly neighbour of Ayres' brother, answered his door to her around 5.15pm on June 10.

The court was told that a drunken Ayres immediately shouted "I want to use your ******* phone," before pushing the shocked pensioner backwards.

Mr Jones then pushed her back out of his doorway and called the police. He was not physically injured in the incident, but was treated in hospital the following week after suffering heart problems.

Defending, Nicola Jinks said: "She (Ayres) has apologised for her conduct. She doesn't remember what had happened and she is very embarrassed about that.

"It must have been a very frightening situation for the victim, who was sitting in his own home in the peace and quiet."

The court also heard Ayres suffers from depression and anxiety.

She was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge, ordered to pay Mr Jones £50 compensation, a £25 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Magistrates also imposed a 12-month restraining order prohibiting Ayres from making contact with Mr Jones.