Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Amanda McCabe tailed her victim, Claire Smith, for miles before blocking her exit, opening her door and punching her in the face, The Courier reports.

She claimed in court she had not been following her victim but had simply been on her way to a wool shop that was near the location of the assault.

Hearing this, Sheriff Rafferty challenged Ms McCabe to knit for her freedom.

He told her that upon her return to court on December 14 she would have “multiple knitted items” she could sell to a charity shop to raise money for good causes.

Accepting the challenge, Ms McCabe claimed to be able to knit a full jumper in three days at a cost of £6 to £7.

John Adams, depute fiscal, told the court Ms Smith had been unimpressed with Ms McCabe’s driving abilities and had let her know as much.

He added: “Unfortunately this led to the accused following Ms Smith for around five to ten minutes, from the Kingsway to Cardean Street.”

She then trapped Ms Smith, opened her door and attacked her. Luckily, Ms Smith did not require medical attention but was left with a red mark on her face.

Jim Laverty, defending, told the court: “She is utterly ashamed of herself and says that it was simply a loss of control.

“As for following the complainer, she indicates that Cardean Street was her intended journey’s end.

“She is a keen knitter and a nearby specialist wool shop was her destination, but unfortunately this was the same direction in which the complainer preceded her.”

Sheriff Rafferty told Ms McCabe: “This was a quite shocking incident.

“You went in the same direction as your victim, at the very least, and then went to her car door and assaulted her, though I accept that it was out of character.

“If you are a skilled knitter then I am sure that you could produce some goods for charity.

“You will bring to court several items that you have knitted that you are prepared to donate to a charity shop.

“It will not be a meagre amount. You have committed a serious offence.

“You have committed serious offences but you have a chance to do something useful with your time. Take this chance.”

The sheriff deferred sentence until December, giving Ms McCabe time for good behaviour and to produce the knitted items for the court.