A GRANDMOTHER-OF-FOUR who attacked her love rival and bombarded her with phone calls has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Burnley Crown Court heard Joanna Naa-Shomeh Mensah, 46, of Burnley Road, Bacup, had been best of friends with her former neighbour Christine Farmer.

But the court was told their relationship deteriorated after Mensah started seeing Ms Farmer’s former partner.

Prosecuting, Daniel Prowse said things came to a head on December 14 when Mensah grabbed her victim by the hair and kicked her in the face when she was on the floor.

Mensah turned violent again on Christmas Eve after the man they were fighting over had returned to Ms Farmer.

She went around to the victim’s house to speak to him and when that failed smashed the rear window of Ms Farmer’s property, causing £250 of damage, and attempted to climb through to the house to get at the victim, the court heard. When that failed she began throwing missiles at Ms Farmer.

Mr Prowse said on January 3 Mensah bombarded her victim with 55 phone calls in the space of a few hours.

He said: “The complainant answered three of those calls. She heard a recorded message of the defendant laughing.

“The defendant also posted a handwritten letter through her door making threats.”

Defending Timothy Brennand said the level of violence used by his client was ‘unnecessary and disproportionate’ and she accepted full responsibility for her actions. Mr Brennand said: “She and the defendant were very close friends. She accepts full responsibility for her actions towards the complainant.

“This was unnecessary and dispassionate.She makes the point she didn’t go looking for trouble but that is what resulted. This is a very unhappy and rather embarrassing story to recite in open court.”

Mensah, a former hotel worker who now receives £146 each fortnight in employment and support benefit, pleaded guilty to putting a person in fear of violence through harassment and criminal damage.

Judge Beverley sentenced her to three months’ imprisonment suspended for six months. No orders for costs or compensation were made. Judge Lunt said: “This seems to be point of your life you have put behind you and your are now behaving properly.

“This code of conduct must be marked and I am satisfied that can be done with a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspended for six months.”