A WOMAN arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of young Burnley woman Holly Lambert has been jailed after she was prosecuted for affray.
Rebecca Kearsley was convicted of threatening or using unlawful violence in the moments before Ms Lambert's death in Cumbria last year.
The 42-year-old defendant faced no further action following a lengthy police probe after initially being arrested on suspicion of murder alongside two others.
She has now been jailed for 16 weeks after she admitted causing affray on the night of bride-to-be Ms Lambert's death.
A previous hearing at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard how Kearsley, Ms Lambert and others were at a property in Ulverston.
Prosecutor Lee Dacre said: "The situation developed into a heated argument. The defendant threw a bottle on the table in frustration."
He said there was some 'pushing and shoving' as Ms Lambert left the property.
"The defendant did not hit Holly Lambert," Mr Dacre said.
The court heard Ms Lambert, 26, left the property and then collapsed at a bus stop.
Kearsley has 12 previous convictions for 18 offences starting from 2011, including battery and breaching a restraining order, the court was told.
According to court documents, District Judge Temperley said Kearsley's offending was so serious only a prison sentence could be justified.
He said the defendant 'demonstrates an inability or unwillingness to be challenged on her behaviour'.
The judge said a community order would be unworkable because Kearsley had previously failed to comply with court orders.
An inquest held earlier this year heard that Ms Lambert's death was a 'mystery'.
Cockermouth Coroner's Court heard despite examinations and toxicological analysis there was no evidence confirming her death was directly caused by an assault or by the use of drugs or alcohol.
Living in Ulverston at the time of her death, she had links to Burnley and was due to marry her partner last year.
At Holly's funeral, friends and family donned their Burnley FC kits and colourful clothing to give her a ‘beautiful’ send-off.
In a touching tribute released after her death, her family and partner said: "Holly was the life and soul of the party, lighting up every room she walked into.
"She had a big heart and loved everyone as everyone who met her loved her.
"Holly was one of a kind and always made us laugh."
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