A 28-YEAR-OLD woman laughed after spitting on a total stranger as the passed in the street.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when Emma Riley was challenged by the victim she lashed out, kicking him twice and hitting him about the head.

Riley, of Rimington Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Farhan Ashraf.

She was given a community order for nine months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement and made subject to a curfew between 8 pm and 6 am for four weeks.

She was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Ashraf, £5 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mr Ashraf was in Blackburn town centre at about 7.30pm. As he walked past Riley she spat at him.

"He looked at her and she was laughing," said Miss Allan.

"He took hold of her arm and asked if her parents had brought her up to find it funny to spit on people. He asked if she had spat at him because of the colour of his skin."

Riley moved away but Mr Ashraf called the police and followed her to a pub were the assault took place.

Paul Huxley, defending, said immediately before the incident his client had taken a drink out of a bottle and then someone made her laugh.

"When she laughed she spat out the contents of her mouth and it hit the aggrieved," said Mr Huxley.

"It wasn't saliva it was fluid from the drink. When he took hold of her she didn't like it and accepts that she lashed out."