CHILDREN watched in horror as a single mum and her former friend brawled outside a Melksham convenience store.

Jennifer Killen punched her ex-pal Kim Lewin's mouth so hard her tooth snapped in what magistrates heard was a fight outside Alldays store in Pembroke Road.

Mother-of-two Killen, 31, of Somerset Crescent, admitted causing actual bodily harm when she appeared before magistrates in Trowbridge on Thursday.

Louisa Thomas, prosecuting, described how the two women were friends until the end of January when they fell-out.

Mrs Thomas said the victim was driving home on February 25 when she saw a friend in the Alldays store.

After a few minutes Killen pulled up alongside in a car with a man glaring at Miss Lewin as she got out. Miss Lewin later made a comment to the man about his involvement with Killen, sparking a confrontation which ended in the two women brawling.

During a police interview Killen said Miss Lewin struck at her first.

Tim Hammick, defending, said Killen felt there were discrepancies in the victim's account of what went on.

Magistrates ordered Killen to pay £150 compensation to the victim and £35 costs.