A New Zealand woman was sentenced to three and a half years in jail by a local court on Friday for attacking a Chinese tourist and driving through an alcohol checkpoint.

Belinda Sutherland, 25, who once referred to herself as a "professional escort," claimed she was outraged that a tourist was speaking in Chinese on a train last year.

Julia Chang, 52, on holiday in New Zealand, was sitting behind Sutherland, speaking in Chinese to a friend.

Other passengers claim Sutherland muttered, "We speak English in this country," and threatened to pour water over Chang's head if she did not "shut up." She splashed both Chang and her friend before grabbing Chang and punching her.

Sutherland's lawyer, Jane Johnson, said the New Zealander, who has an abusive past with former partners, was embarrassed about what she had done on the train bound for Wellington on October 12, but said the attack had nothing to do with the victim's race.

Judge Denys Barry said he would imprison her for three and a half years on assaulting charges for the incident with Chang, as well as charges for driving while disqualified and drunk driving.

The outstanding court fines of NZ$500 (US$350) and 214-hours community work were cancelled.

Source: China Daily