A FEMALE driver who pulled over to answer her mobile phone had her car window smashed by a man wielding a metal bar who claimed she had parked in his spot.

Blackburn magistrates heard the window was struck with such force the bar hit the woman in the ribs.

And the chairman of the magistrates said Christopher James Ashworth's behaviour must have put his victim in great fear.

Ashworth, 32, of Peronne Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Kim Saddique and damaging the window of her car. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also ordered to pay £150 compensation.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Miss Saddique was driving along Peronne Crescent at 11.45 am when she received a call on her mobile. She pulled over to answer the phone.

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"She was only there a few minutes when out of the car she saw someone approaching her car," said Miss Akhtar. "The next thing she knew the window of her car had been smashed by the defendant using a metal bar. It went through with such force it hit her in the ribs and on the hip."

Miss Akhtar told the court the victim was shocked by what had happened. He started shouting and swearing at her demanding to know why she had parked where she had.

Richard Prew, defending, said the complainant pulled over into a disabled parking spot which used to belong to his client's mother.

"There has been a diagnosis of paranoia and he was upset about someone parking in the space," said Mr Prew. "He has always maintained he wasn't aware there was anyone in the car."