A MEMBER of the public alerted police after hearing a woman screaming for help.

Blackburn magistrates heard officers arrived to see Alex Louise Fraser kicking Natasha Baron.

But the court heard the victim refused to make a complaint and within minutes of the incident were friends again.

Fraser, 25, of Countess Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Baron and resisting arrest and was convicted after trial of assaulting a police officer.

She was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £1,200 compensation to the officer, £115 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

The court heard that when a female police officer arrived on the scene she saw Fraser kicking the other woman. Fraser shouted at the officer and then swung a punch at her.

Gareth Price, defending, said the two women were firm friends and made up within minutes of the incident.

"The aggrieved, who didn't make a statement of complaint, is in court to support her friend," said Mr Price. "The prosecution is on the basis of what the officer saw."