A MOTHER-OF-THREE assaulted three members of the same family during a "doorstep brawl", a court heard.

Zaida Knott, also known as Zoe, of Gomm Place, High Wycombe, attacked the father and two daughters after confronting them at their home.

Wycombe Magistrates' Court heard on Wednesday how a disagreement came to a head on March 7.

Mary Clouston, prosecuting, said: "An argument broke out between the daughter and Zoe, who punched the girl in the face.

"The father tried to intervene and it was then when the defendant pushed him hard in the upper chest and throat.

"Another daughter approached the door and the defendant punched her in the face also."

When officers spoke to Knott, 31, after the incident she admitted punching one of the daughters "because she had laughed at her" said Miss Clouston.

One of the female victims is said to have been left with a painful cheek and is scared of further attacks, the court heard.

Tony Hine, defending, said Knott had reacted after she claimed her son's friend had received threatening and abusive phone calls from a young male member of the other family.

This led to her confronting the family, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

"She Knott was greeted with ridicule and abuse and it turned into a doorstep brawl," he said.

Mr Hine added that Knott "accepted she shouldn't have done what she did".

"She has got clinical depression and she's due to attend hospital for treatment on a stomach ulcer," he said.

"She is also suffering considerable strain from her domestic relationship."

Knott, who pleaded guilty to three counts of common assault, will be sentenced at Wycombe Magistrates Court later this month.