A WOMAN enjoying a night out was "groped" by another woman who then bit her on the shoulder.

Blackburn magistrates heard the incident had a "massive impact" on the victim's life and she had been left too scared to go out.

The court was told she felt violated and had cut herself off socially since the incident in October.

Hannah Lomax, 34, of Queensway, Waterfoot, was convicted after trial of sexual assault on a female and assault.

She was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 30 days of rehabilitation and pay £500 compensation. She was made subject to sex offender registration requirements for seven years.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the victim was in the Bees Knees in Rawtenstall when Lomax came in with a group of friends.

She was clearly intoxicated and grabbed the other woman by the waist and tried to make her dance with her.

Lomax then sat next to the other woman, held her with one arm and squeezed one of her breasts.

She then put her hand up her skirt and touched her private parts.

"The victim was terrified," said Miss Akhtar.

"The defendant refused to remove her hand and then bit the other woman on the neck.

"The victim had never seen the defendant before in her life and said she was disgusted by what happened."

Stuart Kaufman, defending, said the issue that had been put forward at trial was involuntary intoxication.

"Her memory of the incident is completely obliterated and for a week after the incident she was confused," said Mr Kaufman.

"One of her friends gave evidence to confirm she had provided a drink that was three times stronger than the defendant thought."

He said Lomax was meant to get a taxi home but instead ended up on a bus to Burnley.

"People on the bus were so concerned they used her mobile phone to call her father who picked her up," said Mr Kaufman.

"My client is not interested in women and has never had a relationship of that kind. She would like to apologise to the victim."