A grandmother who committed drunken assaults during mass violence in a town centre has walked free as a man also involved in the brawl is jailed.

Naomi Bignall had been warned jail was “almost inevitable” after she was convicted of two offences of assault by beating in her absence, having failed to attend court.

But she was on Friday sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years, with a drug rehabilitation requirement for six months.

Bignall attacked two women in the street outside The Long Hop pub at Key Street in Sittingbourne on February 11 last year.

The 47-year-old widow, of Lower Road, Faversham, was said to have assaulted Susan Tamlin “for no reason whatsoever”.

Other women were also beating Mrs Tamlin, as well as kicks being used. A bottle was also thrown at one point.

Bignall continued to be aggressive, this time to Melissa Johnson. A passing delivery driver saw her dragging Ms Johnson across the road by her hair.

Also arrested was Quinton Taylor, of Johnson Avenue, Gillingham, who admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving, and was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Taylor, 23, fractured Matthew Fender’s jaw and cheekbone and sent Christopher Tombs flying over the bonnet of his Ford Focus.

He had earlier stirred up trouble by “shadow boxing” bare-chested.

Mr Fender had been to nearby Sittingbourne Rugby Club to watch an England match on TV.

He left to go home at about 9pm with others, including Mrs Tamlin, her husband Wayne and their teenage son, and encountered Taylor as they passed the pub.

Bignall claimed she failed to attend court for her trial in August through lack of funds.

Her alcohol and drug issue was said to have stemmed from her husband dying three years ago.

Ed Fowler, defending, said the mother was ashamed of her behaviour.

He said: “It is really alcohol which has wreaked damage upon her. A report talks of rehabilitation work that can be done.

"She can take her place as a grandmother and mother. She is determined to turn her back on a life of crime.”

Mr Fowler said time spent in custody after breaching bail had “woken up” Bignall.

Judge Adele Williams said: “This was a very unpleasant incident. She was very drunk. She has been living a chaotic life which has been beset by drugs and alcohol problems.”

The judge told Bignall: “It is high time you took steps to put your life in order. You have been in custody for sometime, which is going to enable me to suspend the inevitable sentence of imprisonment.”

She warned that the conditions of the sentence were “not an easy option”.