A WOMAN leaving work intervened when she witnessed an attack on a female driver by her front-seat passenger.

Blackburn magistrates heard the witness ran over and shouted at the male passenger after seeing him punch the driver three times, causing her head to bounce off the window.

As she looked into the car she saw there were two young children in the back.

Mariusz Wozniak, 36, of Holland Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assault.

He was made subject to a community order for 15 months with 30 days' rehabilitation activity requirement and 40 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the witness described the victim screaming as she was punched.

"She ran across the road and shouted at the defendant to stop hitting her," said Miss Allan.

"He told the victim to drive off and she reported the incident to the police."

Richard Prew, defending, said it wasn't clear if the victim had suffered any injuries because she had refused to make a statement.

He said there had been tensions in the relationship after it was discovered there had been an overpayment of benefits of £18,000 and they were going to have to pay it back.

"They were on their way to Blackburn when an argument started," said Mr Prew.

"She poked him and that provoked the reaction that was seen by the witness."