A MOTHER has been conditionally discharged for 12 months for her part in a melee involving feuding families in Earby.

Helen Sedman, 37, who struck and pushed neighbour Jill Hocaniuk to the ground and hit her as she was down, was convicted of common assault after a trial in front of Burnley Magistrates.

The justices said Sedman, of Brownroyd, Earby, who was of previous good character, had been drunk, abusive language had been used by both parties and there had been some provocation by the victim - who had shown an intense dislike of Sedman and her family.

They added she had lied about her role in the last incident of the three-part fracas and they did not accept her evidence.

The defendant, who had denied the allegation, was told to pay £150 compensation and £65 costs.

Her husband Glyn David Sedman, 38, of the same address, denied a common assault on Mrs Hocaniuk's son Karl and was cleared by the bench.

The couple's friend, Gary Hooper, 21, of Waddington Street, Earby, was found not guilty of two counts of common assault on Karl Hocaniuk, said to have taken place on two separate days, and also of criminal damage.

Giving their verdicts, the justices said Gary Hooper had not been the aggressor , he had been pulled into a car and was assaulted. He accidentally pulled the roof bar off when he was trying to free himself from the vehicle.