A WOMAN was punched unconscious when she intervened in a fight at a house party.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim came round being treated by paramedics.

And while she was unconscious Lee Sidlow made off with her mobile phone.

Sidlow, 38, of Ravens Avenue, Oldham, pleaded guilty to assaulting Andrea Leek, theft of a mobile phone belonging to her and theft of a mobile phone belonging to Michael Hall. He was jailed for eight weeks and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge.

Imposing an immediate prison sentence the chairman of the magistrates said Sidlow had convictions for wounding and robbery in the last five years.

"This was a sustained attack and while the victim was unconscious you took advantage of the situation to steal her mobile phone.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Miss Leek was at a house party in Rishton when there was some trouble between Sidlow and another man.

"She tried to intervene and was punched to the side of the head and fell over," said Mrs Mann. "When she was on the floor he kept on punching her until she was unconscious."

Miss Lee was taken to hospital and while she was there realised her phone was missing. A phone belonging to another guest at the party was also missing and both were found when Sidlow and another man were arrested.

Gareth Price, defending, said the house party had got out of control and other people had been arrested and spoken to by the police about events of the night.

"My client accepts the assault was sustained and that as he left he took two mobile phones," said Mr Price.