A LAWYER has hit out at the psychiatric services after it was revealed a woman who attacked her father and sister may have to wait two years for help.

Burnley magistrates heard how Dana Doherty, 21, who is suffering a "mental disorder" and whose health is said to be "fragile" at times, probably won't be getting the urgent treatment a medic says she needs.

Doherty, who recently tried to "strangle" her teenage sister, is already on a community order after stabbing her dad, but the probation service feel they have now done all they can with her, the court was told.

John Greenwood, representing the defendant, said a psychiatrist had stated she needed help, but it could be nine months, or as long as two years before she gets it.

He asked the court: "What on earth does it take for the authorities to give this young lady the assistance she requires?"

Doherty, who works in Woolworths, had earlier been told she would not go to jail for the assault on Bernadette Doherty, 19, and Mr Greenwood urged the court to give her a conditional discharge as it was the only suitable option.

The defendant, of Townhouse Road, Nelson, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and resisting police on May 20.

She was given a two year conditional discharge by the justices.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said Doherty was 21 the day after the assault on her sister and her birthday celebrations the evening before had not panned out as she had hoped.

The defendant had rung the victim upset she wasn't involving herself in the celebrations.

A friend subsequently saw Doherty holding her sister by the throat.

Bernadette later told police she thought she was going to die.

Mr Furness intervened, grabbed the defendant and pinned her to the floor.

The prosecutor said Mr Furness would say he saw Bernadette's colour change and she was turning blue.

She said Doherty was on a two year community order after wounding her father the day after her 19th birthday.