A WOMAN who CS gassed another mum in a row over a children's football, has started a three-month jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Julie Bradley, 29, in the grip of a drink problem, was depressed and had health worries.

She turned up at Collette Welsby's home and sprayed her in the face, as a kiddies' birthday party was in full swing. The victim was physically sick, panicked and could feel her skin burning, although she suffered no long term effects.

Bradley, of Thorburn Drive, Whitworth, earlier admitted possessing a CS gas canister and assault and had been committed for sentence by magistrates.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said Mrs Welsby, who lived on Westgate, Whitworth, saw her son coming up the path carrying a football, with the defendant behind him. Bradley used vulgar language, but left.

The Welsby family carried on with their birthday party, but at about 8pm, the complainant saw Bradley walking past the window and went to the door. The defendant said she had come to apologise, but as she turned away, pulled a tin from behind her and squirted Mrs Welsby in the face with CS gas.

She later went to the police station, claimed Mrs Welsby had started the violence and that she had found the CS gas canister on the street. Timothy Brennand, defending, said the victim's son had taken Bradley's son's football. The defendant had difficulties in recent years and alcohol had taken a ferocious grip upon her.

The offence was committed at a time when Bradley, a former care assistant, was severely depressed. She had lost her job and had health worries. Bradley knew custody would be at the forefront of any court's mind.

Mr Brennand said the attack was not sustained and the element of provocation could justify the court finding exceptional circumstances. It had been a trivial argument and the defendant had completely over-reacted. Custody would have serious consequences for Bradley's 10-year-old boy, although she had only herself to blame.

He went on: "The defendant has not got the worst record the court will have seen. A custodial sentence would severely crush her. She is truly sorry for what she has done."

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