MAGISTRATES have slammed a couple who got drunk and picked on a woman standing at a bus stop.

Burnley bench heard how Michael and Brigid McDonagh were on benefits and owed cash in fines, yet were appearing for alcohol-fuelled offences.

Michael Paul McDonagh, 22, had spat in the woman's chips and his wife, 20, had then hit her.

Victim Rose Squire had simply been waiting for a bus in Burnley after work when the couple struck.

Michael McDonagh, of Dalton Street, Nelson, admitted using threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour. Brigid McDonagh, of Eagle Street, also Nelson, pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said Miss Squire was at a bus stop in Burnley in December when the McDonagh's appeared, shouting and swearing.

They walked towards her and spat at her chips while she was eating them. She threw the tray to the ground in disgust and Brigid McDonagh then slapped her across the face. The defendants got in a taxi, Miss Squire took the registration number and police were called. David Leach, defending, said the McDonaghs had been out for the evening and had a row.

Michael McDonagh accepted some of his saliva must have gone into her chips, but he claimed it was an accident and he had been spitting on the ground.

Brigid McDonagh was so drunk she could not remember what happened and could only apologise.