A VIOLENT woman who brandished a bottle and assaulted a 14-year-old girl at a Greenock railway station in a late night attack has been spared prison.

Debbie McEwan, 36, repeatedly punched the child on the head to injury and also shouted at her 15-year-old pal at Cartsdyke in the east end.

McEwan, of nearby Carwood Court, was found guilty at trial but continues to maintain her innocence about the incident on December 28 last year.

Her lawyer, Anthony Boland, told the town's sheriff court: "She denies that alcohol use is an issue of dependency, but perhaps her over-use of alcohol may be an issue.

"The background report on her recommends a period of supervision.

"In June she took over the care of a family member, so she is now someone in a position of responsibility.

"She accepts that the court has made the decision and a fairly serious offence has been found to have occurred."

The court heard that McEwan has been assessed as a medium risk of reoffending.

Solicitor Mr Boland said: "I would suggest that supervision would put that into sharp focus."

McEwan was found guilty of the assault and brandishing a bottle towards her victim and the other girl.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton told her: "This is a serious matter and was undoubtedly a frightening experience for these young girls late at night to be confronted by you with a bottle.

"However, I will deal with this in a non-custodial way in view of your limited record."

McEwan will be supervised within the community for 18 months and has been placed on an electronic tag to remain at home between 7pm and 7am each day for four months.

The orders have been imposed as direct alternatives to prison.