A MOTHER-OF-FOUR who killed a 68-year-old man while in a drunken rage has been jailed for two and a half years.

A court heard that Barbara Bower had gone looking for her teenage daughter and went to the house, which was converted into flats, thinking she might be there.

Once in the premises in Preston New Road, Blackburn, which was converted into eight flats, she encountered James Hyde, who has convictions for child abuse, and accused him of being a paedophile.

Bower, who herself admitted to being "plastered", having drunk 30 units of alcohol, threw a television set at him, hitting him about the face and upper chest.

She then picked up a piece of wood and as he lay on the floor brought it down five or six times on his stomach "with a lot of force", said Richard Marks, QC, prosecuting.

She also picked up an electric clock and a clock radio and threw them at him and hit him on the back with the piece of wood. She then left, taking his mirror and a clock and later told a friend they had come from "a paedophile's home".

Mr Hyde was found suffering from multiple bruises, abrasions and lacerations all over his head and body including three large lacerations to his small bowel which caused his death. "He had been the victim of a sustained and forceful attack," said Mr Marks.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that shortly before the attack Mr Hyde, who like most of the residents was an alcoholic, had also been assaulted by two men and they were in the dock alongside Bower.

Bower, 41, of Leamington Road, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a charge of murder was dropped because the only witness had drunk three bottles of sherry at the time.

Andrew Burns, 21, of Lilac Grove, Blackburn, and Leslie Hartley, 46, formerly of Preston New Road, both pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob. Burns had also faced the murder charge but after the prosecution offered no evidence, Mr Justice Morland returned a not guilty verdict.

Hartley was jailed for three years and Hartley received two and a half years.

The court heard that Bower has a conviction for assaulting the police 10 years ago. Hartley and Burns have numerous previous convictions.

Peter Wright, QC, defending, said that Bower has four children, the youngest aged just three. At the time she was drink dependent and estranged from her partner, who is now supporting her and looking after their children.

She was unhappy about a relationship her 16-year-old daughter had formed and went to the house believing she was there with Hartley. She became enraged and attacked Mr Hyde but had not intended to cause him serious harm.

Defence counsel for Burns and Hartley said that they both had a drink problem.

Peter Turner, defending, said that Hartley had been a friend of Mr Hyde and was genuinely remorseful.

Nigel Hamilton, QC, said that Burns was also remorseful. He had not caused the fatal injury, he said.