Two Canberrans have been jailed over a violent home invasion where they attempted to "take the law into their own hands" after they believed their TV was stolen, but ended up attacking a woman who had "nothing to do with it".
Rebecca Krutsky, 45, and Douglas James Weldon, 36, were to have gone on trial on Wednesday, but both pleaded guilty at the last minute.
On Thursday they were sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, after an attack on a woman in April.
The court heard the pair went to a house to retrieve a television set from a man they believed had stolen it.
Justice Michael Elkaim said they attacked the man's partner leaving her with bruising, a bite mark, lumps of hair pulled out and ringing in her ears.
"[The victim] was no doubt terrified by the experience, as was her 13-year-old daughter who witnessed the assault," he said.
"The attack might be categorised as one in which the offenders took the law into their own hands or otherwise attempted to obtain a 'just' result.
"In reality they were acting entirely without justification and attacking a person who was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the television set."
Krutsky was accused of playing a greater role in the attack.
Her lawyer told the court she has been in jail since the incident, and has developed a five-year plan to improve her life, which included staying away from drugs and studying to be a counsellor.
Justice Elkaim sentenced Krutsky to nine months in jail, and she will be due for release in January.
Weldon has been sentenced to eight months in jail and will be free in December.
