A WOMAN who tore chunks of hair out of her victim in a daytime unprovoked Chester city centre assault has had her appeal against a 17-week jail term rejected.

Toni Danielle Goode, 30, formerly of Maple Grove, Saltney but had recently moved to Fairford Road, Lache, was convicted of assaulting her victim on the Chester Rows and later kicking out at police officers as she was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

At Chester Crown Court on Friday, August 30, defending solicitor Gerald Pachter argued the sentence imposed by magistrates at Chester Magistrates Court had been "manifestly excessive" and asked if the sentence could be suspended instead, with a community order requirement.

But judge Recorder Simon Parrington said magistrates were "quite right" the sentence had crossed the custody threshold for what was a "quite disgraceful" set of incidents.

The jail term was unaltered and Goode must now additionally pay £100 to her victim Helen Hale.

Prosecuting, John Oates said it was at about 5pm on June 30, near the Chester Grosvenor Hotel, when victim Ms Hale had seen Goode arguing with a man and she turned away so as not draw attention to herself.

But Goode walked up behind her and snatched her mobile phone.

Ms Hale asked for it back but was verbally abused in response, leaving her frightened and intimidated.

A member of the public intervened to get Ms Hale's phone back, was successful in doing so, but then Goode "made a beeline" for Ms Hale.

Ms Hale went to the top of the steps on the Eastgate Rows but was then attacked from behind as Goode used both hands on Ms Hale's head to rip chunks of hair out, in an attack lasting 20 seconds.

The man who Goode had been arguing with earlier shouted "get off her Toni" and the attack ended. A Grosvenor Hotel doorman then went up to Ms Hale to make sure she was okay.

The attack had left Ms Hale feeling "scared and shaken".

Police located Goode in Bridge Street and she called them "f***ing weapons". She was told to stop swearing but continued to do so, and kicked out at the officers, hitting PC John Wsolek on the top of his leg and kicking PC Samantha Knox a number of times while being arrested.

When interviewed, Goode said she had drunk 12 cans of cider, having been watching the Raft Race by the river, and was a nine out of 10 on the drunkenness scale.

She was apologetic and accepted the charges, and said she had a lot going on with her kids being taken away from her.

Goode had eight previous convictions for 10 offences.

Defending, Mr Pachter said Goode had already served 22 days of her custodial term and had time to reflect, having never been in prison before.

There was nothing for violence on her criminal record, she was extremely remorseful, and wanted to see her three-year-old child who was up for adoption.

Mr Pachter suggested a suspended sentence with a community order including rehabilitation activity requirement days and an alcohol treatment programme would be appropriate. She was also available for unpaid work.

But the appeal was rejected and Goode must serve the remainder of her prison sentence.