A mum-of-six knocked an innocent woman's veneers out after she wrongly believed the victim had set up a fake social media profile in her name.
Leah Denton, 31, repeatedly stamped on the woman's face, resulting in the victim losing her home and job and even attempting suicide, a court heard.
The victim had been messaging a former neighbour on Instagram in September 2020 which led to a "misunderstanding" in which she thought the woman was pretending to be Ms Denton.
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Liverpool Crown Court heard how the neighbour arranged to visit the victim's apartment in Southport that night, but brought Denton with her, the ECHO reports.
The woman opened the door and before she could do anything, Denton began shouting "why the f*** are you pretending to be me," the court was told.
She then grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to ground, repeatedly punching, kicking and stamping on her face before leaving. The victim had her front teeth veneers knocked out by Denton and was also left with swelling, bruising and cuts to the face.
After her arrest, Denton said that the neighbour had told her that her former friend had "set up a fake account in her name" and "went to ask her why she had done it."
She also claimed the victim had attacked her fist and that she was acting in self-defence. Louise Santamera, prosecuting, said: "The prosecution say that this was an unprovoked attack - the victim must have been vulnerable, being taken unawares late at night in such a vicious way."
In a statement which was read out to the court on her behalf, the victim described how she could not "pay the bills" after having to take four months off work due to her injuries and being laid off - also losing her tenancy. She attempted to take her own life on two occasions, but now has a new flat and work.
The statement added that she had previously been a "confident and outgoing person with a good social life" but "doesn't feel that is the case today".
Denton - who has 11 previous convictions for 11 offences including theft, assault and criminal damage but none since 2016 - meanwhile was said to have had a "fairly traumatic" time. She is due to begin a new job as a part-time waitress in a pub next week.
The mother admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was handed a 16-month imprisonment suspended for two years. Denton must also complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £600 in compensation, plus a victim surcharge.
Sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton said: "When you were a youth, you got yourself into trouble a few times. It looked like you had by and large grown up, but the way you behaved on September 26 2020 was anything but grown up.
"You behaved in an extremely immature, childish and violent way. There was no good reason for what you did whatsoever. You got the wrong end of the stick. No doubt part of the explanation is you were using drugs and alcohol at the time and it led to you behaving in that deeply immature way.
"In many ways, what was worst was the psychological damage you caused. It's a lot more than just the bruises, grazes and swelling. It's the fear, the loss of confidence and feeling of safety in her own home. What you did had a substantial impact on your victim.
"I've given you a chance. You look like you have been sorting yourself out. If I'm right about that, I won't see you again. If I'm wrong, you will come back and you will be sent to prison."
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