A WOMAN involved in fisticuffs in the street went to the police station thinking she was making a witness statement, but ended up arrested.

Burnley magistrates heard how Deborah Banks had been assaulted while out shopping after trouble brewed over her ex-husband's funeral.

Banks, who had had her arm in a sling had been grabbed by the hair and had swung out with a carrier bag in a bid to fend off her assailant.

The defendant, of Fernbank Court, Nelson, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and was given a six months conditional discharge. She must pay £50 costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said a large-scale dispute involving about 10 people started in Nelson and three or four women ended up fighting.

Banks threw several punches, chased another woman around and threatened to get her.

John Rusius, defending, said the person who started the trouble had lived with Banks' ex-husband and made it clear she did not want the defendant to attend his funeral.

Banks was out shopping, was not looking for trouble and was assaulted by more than one person.

She was grabbed by the hair and swung out with the carrier bag in the motion of striking blows. It was not suggested she hit anybody and she was held by the hair by a woman who was arrested and taken away by police.

The defendant was asked to go to Nelson police station and thought she was going to make a statement. She was then taken to Burnley and arrested.

Mr Rusius said the defendant had a lot of personal problems and the incident had made things worse. She was worried about being in court and the consequences of it.

Mr Rusius went on: "She regrets being involved but would regard herself as the victim rather than the instigator."