A WOMAN repeatedly whacked a man with a crutch until blood poured from his head after he tapped her with his foot.

Angela Stein was on her tip toes as she 'squared up' to the victim in Greenock town centre and shouted in his face after she'd grabbed the metal crutch from an injured pal.

Stein, 43, had been charged with assaulting the man to severe injury and permanent disfigurement but this was removed following talks between defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher and prosecutors.

Fiscal depute Carol Cameron told Greenock Sheriff Court how the violent incident unfolded on West Stewart Street.

Ms Cameron said: "The complainer was seen to kick the accused on her bottom but there appeared to be no force or malice. It was more of a tap.

"However, there was a verbal altercation as a result.

"The accused took hold of another witness's crutch and went to the complainer, who went to walk away and at that point the accused struck him to the head with the crutch.

"She then struck him again and the complainer put his left arm up to defend himself.

"The two then seemed to square up to each other and the accused was on her tip toes shouting in his face.

"Other witnesses tried to break up the confrontation and the crutch owner attempted to get his walking aid back and wrestled unsuccessfully with the accused.

"The accused then struck the complainer again and he fell to the ground.

"She then gave the crutch back to its owner.

"The complainer's head was bleeding and the accused was shouting in his face.

"The owner of the crutch got in between the two of them and tried to herd the accused away, using the crutch to pen her in at a bin area.

"The accused and the crutch owner then walked off."

The court heard that the injured man — who was taken to hospital by paramedics — told police that he'd fallen.

But Stein, who committed the offence on September 7 2019, was prosecuted after it was discovered that the entire attack had been captured by CCTV cameras.

She later told police: "He called me a name."

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "Parties are known to each other.

"Miss Stein has no matters outstanding withy the court."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre fined Stein, of Belville Street, £315.