Karissa Anne Bartlett pleaded guilty to assaulting her neighbour

A young mum punched her neighbour in his face after he complained about her music volume, but she says he broke her hand.

A Christies Downs mum was in the middle of a drunken episode when she punched her neighbour in his nose, in front of his family after he confronted her over loud music.

Karissa Anne Bartlett, 26, appeared in the Christies Beach Magistrate Court on Wednesday, pleading guilty to one charge of basic assault.

The court heard on December 18, 2021 the victim approached his neighbour of two years, after she had been playing music and a disturbing volume all day.

“The victim went to ask them to turn it down but there was no answer,” Police Prosecutor Nicola Buckle told the court.

“The victim then heard the defendant come out of her address, she was quite aggressive, she attended the front of the unit.

“There was a verbal altercation between the defendant and the victim, the defendant has then leant over the fence and punched the victim in the nose, in front of his partner and two young children.”

Karissa Anne Bartlett pleaded guilty to assault in Christies Beach Magistrate court on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

Bartlett was soon arrested.

Peter Hill, defence counsel for Bartlett, said his client was originally the subject of an assault by the victim earlier that morning.

“She (Bartlett) was assaulted by the victim with a metal rod which resulted in a broken hand for Ms Bartlett.

“She was in a cast for two weeks and this single strike to the neighbour occurred later that day.”

The court also heard Bartlett had called the police to press charges against the victim, but police declined due to the intoxicated nature of both parties.

“Two days after the victim has kicked in Ms Bartlett’s door and was charged with property damage and disorderly behaviour.”

Mr Hill also told the court his client has been making strides in trying to better herself, including being 111 days clean of methamphetamine and cutting down on her drinking.

“She has gone from drinking heavily everyday to only drinking on weekends,” Mr Hill said.

“She is not someone who partakes in violence and while it doesn’t make it right there is an explanation for her actions.”

Magistrate Teresa Anderson heard the submissions before sentencing Bartlett.

“You pleaded guilty at the first instance this was before the court which is unusual,” Magistrate Anderson said.

“This indicates that you knew you had done the wrong thing and you are taking responsibility for your behaviour.”

Bartlett was placed on a $600 two-year good behaviour bond, with sentencing to be dealt if called upon.

A conviction was recorded.