A WOMAN lost control and lashed out after months of abuse.

On Wednesday, Rachel Lang admitted grabbing another female by the face outside the Co-operative store in Clackmannan's Main Street on December 23 last year.

Fiscal depute Lindsey Brooks told the county's Justice of the Peace Court that it was around 10.40am on the day in question when the accused branded the complainer and her friend "junkie one and junkie two".

An argument ensued, to which Lang seized her victim's face before walking away. She was later traced by the police via CCTV.

Defending, Chris Macfarlane described it as an "unfortunate incident".

He claimed that his client, who normally works at the Co-op but had went to the shop to buy groceries that morning, had suffered abuse at the hands of the complainer for months and "on this occasion it all got too much".

Mr Macfarlane explained that Lang's victim, who was no stranger to the court, repeatedly goaded and baited the accused to which her "emotions got the better of her" during this particular spat.

Since the assault, the complainer has continued to shout abuse and gesticulate towards Lang in the street.

The 27-year-old accused, of Woodside Terrace in Clackmannan, was said to suffer from anxiety and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Justice William Whyte noted that there had been a "degree of provocation", but stated: "You're not entitled to take the law into your own hands."

Lang was thereafter admonished.