A young woman claims she was acting in self-defence when she allegedly viciously attacked an elderly woman outside a Geelong shopping centre.

The elderly woman, who was waiting for a bus, clung to her walker as her alleged attacker shoved her against a wall, grabbed her by the head and pulled her to the ground before kicking her twice.

Cori Glencross, 23, was arrested and charged after video emerged on Facebook of the confronting incident, which occurred outside the Moorabool Street shopping centre about 1pm on Tuesday.

A still from the video footage.

Ms Glencross faced Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday – her birthday – charged with affray, committing an indictable offence whilst on bail, unlawful assault by kicking and unlawful assault.