A Canberra artist who bashed a woman in front of shocked shoppers could become an inspiration for other indigenous people if she can control her temper, a judge has said.
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A jury found Julieanne Williams, 29, guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in May.
Tensions between Williams and the victim erupted when the pair crossed paths at Woden Plaza in 2011.
The court heard Williams called the women a "dog" before punching her in the face, causing her to fall backwards onto a garden retaining wall.
Williams then kicked, punched, pushed and bit the victim, causing injuries which took weeks to heal.
The offender fled the scene shortly before security arrived.
She denied the attack but was found guilty after a three-day trial in May.
Crown prosecutor Keegan Lee said her criminal record - which included numerous assaults and aggravated robberies - showed she had a violent disposition.
Chief Justice Terence Higgins agreed the attack had been "vicious, nasty and prolonged" but said Williams displayed good prospects of rehabilitation if she learnt to control her temper.
The judge noted Williams had engaged with an indigenous art program in recent years, tutoring and mentoring young indigenous women, as well as exhibiting and selling a number of her paintings.
He sentenced Williams to six months jail, with three months to be cumulative on an existing sentence.
She will be released from custody on parole in mid-September.
The judge urged her to turn her life into an inspiration for other indigenous people.
"Take a more positive attitude to the future because you have a lot to offer," he said.