ALL hell broke loose when a Blackburn woman confronted her husband's former lover, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Maherunneiss Makda punched her rival, Melanie Needham, before lunging towards her, punching and kicking.

But the court was told there had been considerable provocation by the victim who had spoken openly about sleeping with the other woman's husband.

Makda, 33, of Audley Range, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault. She was fined £50 and ordered to pay £50 compensation and £50 costs.

John Wood, prosecuting, said Miss Needham was at work when she answered a call from Makda who wanted to speak to her husband. She said he wasn't there and Makda became abusive.

For the next hour she was ringing constantly and then appeared at the workplace, where Miss Needham was sitting next to Makda's husband, Max.

Makda knocked over a cup of coffee over before throwing a punch at Miss Needham. A second punch connected with her face and Makda then punched her on the arm and kicked her on the leg.

"It was like all hell had broken loose," said Miss Needham. "She was like a madwoman."

Makda was eventually removed by her husband and left in a taxi.

Alfred Rebello, defending, said: "She accepts that she pushed the aggrieved," said Mr Rebello. "She went round not for a fight or to cause trouble but to see her husband. She was obviously wound up."

Mr Rebello said the relationship between his client's husband and Miss Needham was now over.