AN IRATE driver who punched a traffic warden for giving her a ticket stormed out of court after being given a conditional discharge.

Magistrates heard that Charlotte Elizabeth Booth confronted parking enforcement supervisor Nicola Magnus, plucked a ticket off her windscreen, ripped it up and hit her.

Mrs Magnus tried to dodge the blow but it hit her shoulder.

Booth, 35, of The Drive, Carnforth, pleaded not guilty to common assault when she appeared before South Lakeland Magistrates' on Monday.

The court heard it was market day in Kendal when Booth parked on a single yellow line to do some shopping.

She saw Mrs Magnus walking down a line of parked cars, checking for blue disabled badges that allow parking.

Mark Chester, prosecuting, said Booth crossed the street, shouting no, no, no, I've only been there for two seconds'.

Mrs Magnus told the court: "When I asked did she have a disabled badge, she said not to bring up her business in public. This was before she struck me."

She said Booth told her she would not pay the fine.

"As she drove past, she wound the window down and said I don't know how you sleep at night'."

Mrs Magnus said: "We do get quite a lot of verbal abuse, often when we issue tickets but it's the first time I've been struck."

Booth told the court she was recovering from a long-term illness and parked on the yellow line because she was flustered'.

She said she thought the traffic warden was picking on her because she appeared able but had parked where only disabled permit-holders were allowed.

Booth was found guilty, given a two-year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £200 compensation and costs.

Before storming out of the court, Booth said: "If I don't have to stay here by law, I don't want to. I don't want to take any more intimidation. I've heard enough insults for today. I hope that makes everyone happy. Good day."