A wedding photographer attacked her fiance's ex-wife because she feared she was out to ruin her business, a court heard.

Mary Stevenson grabbed kilt shop worker Tracy Young by the hair and ripped part of a specially made wig off her head during the assault on South Street, Elgin, on December 8, 2015.

When Ms Young fell to the ground, Stevenson proceeded to kick her several times in the head and body.

Stevenson, of Ernest Hamilton Court, Elgin, admitted a charge of assault when she appeared at the town's sheriff court in April.

During the hearing, depute fiscal Rory McAlister told the court: "The accused pushed her using both hands and caused her to stumble backwards.

"The accused was shouting at her calling her a sl*t and a home wrecker and a w***e.

"She also threatened to kick Tracy Young if she ever contacted her ex-husband again."

The injured shop worker ended up with a sore stomach and ribs, along with swelling and bruising around her left eye. The attack had a "significant impact" on the victim because her wig was damaged, the court was told.

Stevenson, 45, told police officers she was "provoked" when she was quizzed about the attack.

Defence lawyer Matthew O'Neill told the court: "Ms Stevenson is in a relationship with the former partner of the complainer. The former partner had been married to the complainer.

"The relationship came to an end some years ago. That was due to a number of issues."

He said it had been "made clear" to his client that the kilt shop worker was going to try to make it difficult to get Stevenson's recently launched wedding photography business up and running.

The lawyer said this would have involved warning shop customers off booking their photography with his client.

Mr O'Neill told the court the problems began to escalate after the wedding photographer got engaged to her partner.

She had hoped to resolve their dispute after spotting Ms Young on the street but they ended up arguing and she assaulted her.

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov ordered Stevenson to be of good behaviour for three months and told her to pay £700 compensation.