The victim was left with bite marks and visible scars on both sides of her nose and could require plastic surgery.

The court also heard that Grindrod threatened to rip the victim’s hair out as members of staff and other customers pulled the brawling women part.

The cops were called and scrambled to the shop, where they arrested Grindrod and found a kitchen knife in her handbag.

Grindrod did not use the blade or even threaten to use it, later claiming she put it in her bag to cut herbs before forgetting to remove it.

At an earlier hearing, she pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a blade.

For the defence, Anthony Longworth said Grindrod has a long-standing mental health problem which had not been properly treated.

Instead, she has “self-medicated” with alcohol which had “disastrous” consequences, Mr Longworth claimed.

Judge Elizabeth Nicholls said the offence was “undoubtedly committed because of her mental illness”.

He therefore suspended her prison term so she can be monitored in the community and receive treatment.

The judge told Grindrod: “It is plain you have a long-standing mental illness which is exacerbated by the use and abuse of alcohol.

“In the queue, you started talking to those around you, or you may have been talking to yourself.

“What you were saying was offensive and your victim rightly and courageously challenged you. You now accept wholeheartedly she was right to do that.

“But because of your anxious state combined with the effects of the alcohol you reacted in the way you did.”

Grindrod was sentenced to a 14 months in jail, suspended for two years, and must complete 10 days of rehabilitation activity and a mental health treatment programme.

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