A Secret Harbour mother who attacked her friend-turned-foe's 21-year-old daughter at a wake has been ordered to pay more than $1000.
Caroline Maria Kehoe, 49, pleaded guilty to common assault in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Friday.
Police prosecutor Tamara Read told the court the incident occurred about 7.30pm on May 17, outside the toilets at the Secret Harbour Golf Club.
She said Kehoe grabbed the victim by her throat and punched her in the face, before being detained on the floor by an off-duty police officer.
Kehoe's lawyer said her client took "full responsibility" for her actions after watching the CCTV footage, but she had "no recollection of the event" due to her epilepsy disorder.
She said Kehoe and the victim's mother were friends but fell out several years ago over a "petty disagreement".
The lawyer said Kehoe was not intoxicated during the incident and had arrived later than other guests, after she finished a cleaning shift.
She said the victim had punched Kehoe in retaliation, who fell to the floor unconscious, as the victim's mother kicked Kehoe's legs.
The lawyer said Kehoe believed she must have been provoked by the victim, but she could not remember.
Magistrate Anne Longden told the court there were two sides to every story, but Kehoe had "attacked first".
She accepted Kehoe was "extremely remorseful" and the offence was unlikely to be repeated.
Kehoe was ordered to pay $1000 to the victim, $205.30 costs and was granted a spent conviction.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
