A woman who armed herself with a metal pole during a street disturbance was already on bail for an offence of violent disorder.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ebony Shaw claimed she stepped into the dispute to stick up for a friend on September 25.

Shaw, 20, of Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Barnes Street and using threatening behaviour.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 15 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 60 hours unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £114 victim surcharge.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said the offences were aggravated by the fact Shaw was on bail for an offence of violent disorder which was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court last week.

"It is clear to me your behaviour would have been affected by your ADHD and other difficulties," said District Judge Preston.

"At the time you were not on proper medication and I have taken that into account."

Suzanne Byrne, prosecuting, said there had been a disturbance outside a shop on Barnes Street involving a number of females.

"During that incident the defendant was seen to have a metal pole which she was seen swinging towards others," said Miss Byrne. 

She said shaw's only previous conviction was the violent disorder which had been sentenced at Burnley Crown Court the previous week.

Janet Sime, mitigating, said Shaw and her friends had been to the shop and were walking towards the park when one of them was attacked.

"My client didn't want to get involved but managed to split them up and they walked away," said Miss Sime. "Another girl, who has also been charged, then emerged with a baseball bat and my client ended up with a metal pole.

"It wasn't started by her but she accepts she jumped in to defend her friend," said Miss Sime.