Emma Lenton (27), of Twyford Gardens, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, was visiting her mother-in-law Carol Smith in August this year when the incident happened.

On Friday, Peterborough Crown Court heard how Lenton had visited Mrs Smith in Redmile Walk, Welland, Peterborough for a family gathering.

Cheryl Williams, prosecuting, said: “The afternoon was going well, when for reasons that are so far unexplained, the defendant became upset and angry and she was asked to leave at 6pm.

“She returned two hours later and threw a brick at the window.

“The victim then came out of the house, and the defendant punched her, kicked her and pulled her to the floor.

“She then bit a chunk of her ear lobe off before walking away.”

Lenton was later found by police walking along the A1139. The dual carriageway had to be closed by police for her safety.

Georgina Gibbs, mitigating, said: “This defendant has a long standing alcohol problem and has been drinking up to two bottles of vodka a day.

“She had been drinking before the offence and does not remember any of it. That it not an excuse, but she had been drinking a stupid amount of alcohol.

“There are also issues with self harm and she has been labelled a medium risk of harming herself.”

Lenton had pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 8 this year.

On Friday, Judge Neil McKittrick adjourned sentencing for reports to be carried out on Lenton, and he said: “This was a serious assault. You don’t grow an earlobe back.

“There needs to be more assessments on you, but I make it clear that custody remains the most likely option.

“I would like a victim impact statement. I would like to know what the consequences have been on the victim since the assault.”

Lenton was granted bail until the next sentencing hearing, which will take place at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, November 13.