A woman has denied fighting brandishing a claw hammer after scrapping with another woman outside her home.

Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court via video link from Melksham police station on Tuesday morning, Lisa Sherman, 45, of American Way, Tidworth, pleaded not guilty to affray and possession of a weapon in Church Street, Melksham, on June 1 last year.

Prosecutor Kate Prince said Sherman was accused of being involved in a fight outside her home with a woman who had been pushing a pushchair after the latter allegedly “caused some contact with her property”.

An argument ensued and descended into physical violence. It was said Sherman went back into her home and grabbed a hammer, which she is accused of brandishing.

Gordon Hotson, defending, said his client denied brandishing the hammer. She had been acting in self-defence. Magistrates bailed her to appear before Salisbury Crown Court on August 26 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.