A PREGNANT woman attacked two police officers in the early hours while her husband was out burgling a florist's shop, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how mother-of-two Amy Morton, 40, punched one policewoman on the chin and sank her fingernails into another WPC's hand, after one officer suspected she might be the burglary 'lookout' and tried to arrest her.

Morton claimed she had no idea what her husband, Alan James Morton, was doing and she certainly would not be out burgling as she was seven months pregnant.

Amy Morton, who is due to give birth in two weeks, admitted two counts of police assault and Alan Morton pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal. The couple, of Cog Street, Burnley, were bailed until May 12 for pre-sentence reports. Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Alan Morton was arrested in Kathleen's Florists on Coalclough Lane, at about 4am. He told police a board had already been removed from the shop and he went inside.

If there had been anything worth stealing, he would have taken it. Nothing was missing, but the till was on the floor and it was open.

Meanwhile, two policewomen found Amy Morton in a back alley nearby and, having heard the woman's husband had been arrested, one officer believed Amy Morton might be the lookout and told her she was under arrest.

The defendant said she had no idea where her husband was, threatened to have a go at the officer and punched her as the officer tried to handcuff her. Amy Morton then struggled violently, and assaulted the second officer as she tried to help, telling her she would 'do time' for her. Miss Statham said Alan Morton had a lengthy record and had served an 18-months jail term for conspiracy to supply drugs and Amy Morton had previous convictions for police assault.

Graeme Tindall, defending, said the couple had been having matrimonial difficulties, with periods of separation, and on this particular evening had been discussing their relationship.

Alan Morton had been drinking, the talks degenerated into a row and he left. He was walking around, saw the board on the shop door was already off and went into the premises out of curiosity.

Amy Morton went to look for her husband, was not involved in the burglary and could not believe she was being arrested. She was heavily pregnant and upset.

Mr Tindall said Amy Morton had had a tragic life. She had found her first husband dead in bed beside her, turned to drink and drugs, lost the baby she was expecting and was in and out of hospital being treated for depression.