Sarah Dinning was saddled with an order of protection by Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield in Lincoln County’s Justice Court on Dec. 29.

Dinning was arrested and charged with simple assault following an incident in a local dentist’s office on Dec. 4. The alleged victim of the assault, Darcy May, filed for an order of protection on Dec. 9.

Dinning’s attorney, Jay Forsyth, asked Sheffield to continue the hearing, essentially allowing the order of protection to expire. He cited the pending case in Libby City Court, which is scheduled for a hearing on Jan. 30, 2015.

Forsyth told Judge Sheffield he anticipates a “change of plea” at the Jan. 30 hearing. He previously entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and requested a jury trial.

Sheffield acknowledged the current no contact order that is part of Dinning’s bond, but said he was “not inclined to continue” the hearing and allow the order to expire. He renewed the order for 45 days, setting it to expire on Feb. 12, 2015, anticipating resolution in the city court’s case before that time. He also told the petitioner he would reauthorize the order in the event of a delay in the criminal case.

Documents filed with the court allege Dinning pushed May and placed her between a corner and an X-Ray machine and then punched her in the face and neck several times, resulting in contusions to her face and body.

The petition indicates no past violence in the history between the two women, who been acquainted with each other for a reported 20 to 25 years and encountered each other at work at least weekly. May also wrote in her petition, “after witnessing her unstable behavior, I am in fear of her.”

In court May asked Sheffield to maintain the order of protection. “I just don’t want to have any contact with this person,” she said. “I’m scared to death of this person.”

Dinning remained silent during the court proceedings