A WOMAN kicked a publican in the face as he struggled on the floor with her friend who had already assaulted him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Claire Simmons, 33, and her friend had been refused service in the Bay Horse, Oswaldtwistle, because they were too drunk.

And even after the attack on Alan Herbert they persisted in banging on the door and shouting to be let into the pub.

Simmons, of Monk Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Herbert.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £30 and ordered to pay £100 compensation, £85 victim surcharge and £50 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Simmons and the other woman had turned up at the pub late on a Friday night making a nuisance of themselves.

They were told to leave but kept coming back.

Eventually Mr Herbert got them out of the front door at which point the other woman hit him about the face.

"He took hold of her and they fell to the floor and the defendant kicked him on the forehead," said Miss Allan.

"Another member of staff came to Mr Herbert's assistance and they got inside and locked the door.

"The two women started kicking at the door and then tried to get in the back way.

"They were still trying to get in when the police arrived."

Richard Prew, defending, said his client had no previous convictions.

"Unfortunately she loses her good character as a result of this unsavoury incident," said Mr Prew.

He said the defendant had lost her mother in January and a long-term relationship had recently broken down leaving her in an emotional state.

"She went out with a friend and drank more than is usual for her and she remembers little of the incident," said Mr Prew.