Natalie Ashworth, leaving Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday. Today the mother-of-two faced jail again for beating up a neighbour and smashing his Samsung mobile phone but despite being ticked off for laughing in the dock she escaped with a two year community order

A mother-of-two who was accused of shedding 'crocodile tears' to wriggle out of a prison stretch has been spared jail for the second time in just three days.

Natalie Ashworth, 32, sparked fury on Tuesday when she was given a suspended jail sentence after weeping the dock in front of the judge - only to then sport a cheesy grin outside the courthouse.

Today the mother-of-two faced jail again for beating up a neighbour and smashing his Samsung mobile phone but despite being ticked off for laughing in the dock she escaped with a two year community order.

She was also ordered to pay the victim Daniel Shepley £250 in compensation.

The offences took place after neighbours repeatedly made complaints about the alcohol fuelled behaviour of Ashworth who lived in Reddish, near Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Last June 6 Mr Shepley was parking his van when Ashworth emerged from her home and asked him to look after her dog.

When he declined she became angry and began shouting and swearing at him.

During the row Mr Shepley said: 'No one likes you round here' - but she retorted: 'if you come any closer to me I will punch you in the face.'

As he got his phone out to record the incident Ashworth suddenly attacked him and knocked the phone out of his hand causing it to smash on the floor.

Eye witnesses saw her then kick or punch Mr Shepley up to ten times before walking off.

Later when she was charged with the attack, Ashworth turned up outside Mr Shepley's home saying: 'If I go back to prison then your home and pub will get rushed.

Ashworth (pictured) has 20 offences on her record dating back to 2012 including disorderly behaviour and criminal damage and two counts of battery. She also had convictions for racially aggravated disorder offences in 2015 and 2016

If I get locked up then I have got friends who will rush his house and his mum's pub will be no more.'

A neighbour also heard Ashworth shout: 'drop the charges or you will get shot'. In a phone call to Mr Shepley she added: 'Your life will not be worth living if I go to jail.'

Earlier this week at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Ashworth appeared before a judge and admitted charges of witness intimidation but began weeping in the dock and was asked to sit down whilst sentence was passed.

Judge John Potter said he was suspending the jail term as a refuge centre where Ashworth is currently living claimed there had been a 'significant change in her behaviour.'

Today at Stockport magistrates court, Ashworth who admitted assault and criminal damage to Mr Shepley's phone had to be rebuked for laughing in the dock as a statement from the victim was read out.

It said: 'I tried to move on but when neighbours came out to see what was going on, she said to one neighbour you're a f..king grass - I will have a Range Rover turn up and have you shot'. I decided to leave the area and not return. I feel I cannot go back to that address.'

Miss Eileen Rogers prosecuting told the hearing Ashworth carried out a 'vicious attack' on Mr Shepley and added: 'He simply rejected the request from her and she rained abuse on him.

'Comments from other neighbours have said the police are always round her address and she is always shouting abuse to anyone who comes near.

'Neighbours heard this incident in the street and she said to one 'get back in you fat ugly slag'. One neighbour said she saw ten hits to Mr Shepley's face.

When asked for comment after the hearing Ashworth (pictured) replied: 'You've ruined my life. You need to stay away from me when I leave here.'

'Neighbours have complained of problems a lot from that address. She would drink heavily and cause problems.'

Ashworth has 20 offences on her record dating back to 2012 including disorderly behaviour and criminal damage and two counts of battery. She also had convictions for racially aggravated disorder offences in 2015 and 2016.

Her lawyer Andrew Lawson said in mitigation: 'Since July she has been in a refuge centre. She appeared here on 2nd August and pleaded not guilty to the offences, so a trial date was set for October.

'She was bailed, and has had no trouble since then. She changed her pleas to guilty on 17th August. She was sentenced for the more serious witness intimidation matter this week, and given a 12 month suspended sentence.

'The paperwork states that Mr Shepley thankfully has no marks or injuries. She has mental health issues which means she is not working. There is lots of work being done to try and turn things around for her.'

When asked for comment after the hearing Ashworth replied: 'You've ruined my life. You need to stay away from me when I leave here.'