A Clydebank woman was “stunned” to receive a letter ordering her to appear in court to face an assault charge – 15 months after the incident took place.

Michelle Montgomery was alleged to have attacked a woman in Faifley on October 26, 2016 by seizing her by the hair, pulling her to the ground and wrapping her legs around her victim’s neck.

But the case wasn’t brought to court until January 23 – and neither the defence nor the prosecution could offer any explanation for the delay when Montgomery returned to the dock on Friday to be sentenced after admitting the offence.

The 42-year-old’s solicitor, Gail Campbell, said Montgomery had completed a community payback order imposed for an unrelated manner – and at no time during the progress of that case, which featured several review dates in court, did the Faifley incident show up as an unresolved case.

Ms Campbell said Montgomery had no recollection of the incident, so was unable to explain what happened.

She said: “Miss Montgomery was stunned to be told to appear on January 23.”

Emma Thomson, prosecuting, told the court the incident happened outside a block of flats in Orbiston Place at around 3.40pm, when a grandmother and granddaughter got off a bus and became aware of Montgomery standing nearby, apparently drunk.

At the same time another two women, a mother and daughter, left the common close of the block of flats. Montgomery then grabbed the mother, pulled her to the ground and began grabbing her hair.

“A struggle ensued,” Ms Thomson said, “resulting in the accused wrapping her legs around [the complainer’s] neck.

“Police were contacted and attended immediately. They observed the accused on the ground; it was clear to them that she was intoxicated.”

Montgomery, of Vancouver Place, admitted the charge of assault on her first appearance on January 23, when a background report was requested from social workers.

Ordering Montgomery to carry out 180 hours’ unpaid work and be supervised for a year, Sheriff John Hamilton told Montgomery: “You need the support and structure of supervision and unpaid work.

“There have been periods of custody in your past and you have to understand you’re running the risk of custody if you continue this behaviour.”