A MOTHER of five arrested during what began as a "convivial" family party shouted at and abused relatives in front of police.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Marie Maughan, 43, was sitting in her bottle-strewn lounge the worse for drink and was told by officers to stop shouting, as she could be heard outside.

She took no notice of police, was arrested in the early hours and when she had sobered up said: "I'm going to behave myself in future."

Maughan, of Princess Street, Nelson, admitted breaching the peace and was bound over in the sum of £100 for six months.

Peter King, defending, said the evening had started off as a convivial family party.

When police were called a third time, the defendant didn't realise they were there and did not understand she was being told to moderate her language and behaviour.

At the time she was trying to deal with an 18-year-old, who was very drunk and misbehaving towards other members of the family. Maughan was trying to calm the situation down and things were getting out of hand.