A MOTHER of three said to have shouted racial abuse in the street in the early hours left a court without being punished.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Maxine Hartley's partner was Asian and she was said to have been subjected to torment and death threats by his ex-wife's family. Her solicitor told the court the defendant had been "reciprocating with the same sort of language," that she had been on the receiving end of.

Hartley, 31, of Napier Street, Nelson, admitted racially aggravated threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour.

She was given an absolute discharge by the bench who told her although she had been drunk, she had been provoked over a long period of time. The justices made no order for costs.

John Rusius, defending, said Hartley's partner's ex-wife could not let go of the relationship although it had been over many years.

For more than eight years, the defendant had been subjecetd to abuse and threats from the woman's family. Police had tapped her phone and her children had had to move schools.

He added that his client was not a racist.