THREE men who abused a terrified neighbour and her mother have all kept their freedom.

Recorder David Aubrey, QC, told Mohammed Arif, 23, Mohammed Asif, 22 and father-of-three Iftekhar Alam, 34, their conduct had been "disgraceful."

Arif, of Bracewell Street, Nelson, Asif, formerly of Bracewell Street and now of Cleveland Road, Crumpsall, and Alam, of Rhoda Street, Nelson, all admitted affray. They were each given 140 hours community punishment.

Arif and Asif, who are not working, must pay £100 each towards costs while Alam, a self employed taxi driver, was ordered to pay £150 costs.

William Staunton, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court Sandra Waters was walking her dog in Smith Street, Nelson, at 8.10pm, when the defendants approached in a car.

As she went to cross the road, Arif, who was behind the wheel, drove the vehicle to block her way.

Miss Waters, who feared for the safety of herself and her dog, was abused and pushed and ran home to tell her partner, Martin Turner.

Mr Turner went to remonstrate with the car driver but was chased back home.

A scuffle followed outside his house. Although physical violence was involved, no injuries were caused but Mr Turner later went to hospital.

Mr Staunton said a fourth man arrived and also got into a scuffle.

Irene Waters, Miss Waters' mother, came to try to calm things down but was hit. She was not injured.

Miss Waters' father went into the house to get a stick but there was no suggestion he struck anybody with it.