A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl was threatened with violence when a gang attacked a car in a Burnley street.

Burnley Crown Court heard one of the weapon-wielding group said "She's getting it as well" when an alleged victim revealed the toddler was in the car.

The group then smashed a window with a brick, nearly showering her with glass.

One of the gang, Martin Rickwood, was spared jail when he appeared for sentence and two others were cleared after the prosecution earlier offered no evidence against them.

The alleged victims had not attended court and the prosecution had been unable to proceed to trial. Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said Rickwood, 22, had had the courage to plead guilty.

The judge warned the accused to tell his friends that if they caused a disturbance on the streets, an older person was perfectly entitled to tell them to stop. But, he added, older people were now afraid to mention anything to the younger generation due to fears of violence.

Rickwood, of Athol Street North, had earlier admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. He was given a six-month conditional discharge.

Michael Lavery, prosecuting, said Paul and Anthony Simpson were driving in Accrington Road when the defendant and three others were messing around in the street. They had to swerve to miss them and called them idiots.

As the brothers turned into Clough Street, the four ran to the car shouting abuse and attacking the car. The brothers got out to drive the gang away but the four kept shouting and threatening.

One man punched Anthony Simpson, who fell to the floor, and another told him: "I am going to blow you up. I know where you live, I am going to have you shot."

Paul Simpson tried to help his brother but he was attacked by a man holding a rounders bat.

Mr Lavery told the court one of the men was waving the bat while others made threats. All had sticks or bats and one of the Simpsons shouted that a three-year-old child was in their car.

The prosecutor said a gang member responded: "She's getting it as well." He then threw a large brick at the car window. The child was not injured.

Mr Lavery said police arrived and the four attackers ran from the scene. Rickwood claimed he came upon the incident as it was happening, was given the bat and waved it in the air.