A man assaulted a female during a verbal altercation as she went to get a lift home from work.

Blackburn magistrates heard when the woman's friend, who was picking her up, intervened she was racially abused and spat on.

Brandon Coulthard, 20, of Barnes Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and racially aggravated threatening behaviour. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 hours Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 150 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation to each of the victims.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said it had been a "horrible" incident.

"Not only did you assault the first lady, when challenged by the second you spat in her face and racially abused her," said District Judge Preston. "I accept that at the time you had suffered a traumatic event within your family and you were struggling emotionally but there is no excuse for behaving like that towards women."

Antonia Walters, prosecuting, said the first victim left work with a colleague at about 3pm and was crossing Broadway towards the car park where they were being picked up by the second victim.

"The defendant started a verbal altercation, calling her a slag," said Miss Walters. "During that altercation he slapped her face."

Both women got into the car and Coulthard tried to follow.

"The driver challenged him and he responded by spitting in her face and racially abused her," said Miss Walters.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client was a man of previous good character.

"There had been a traumatic event a few days before this involving his sister," said Mr Price. "That had some impact on the way he behaved which was out of character."