A HEROIN addict attacked her mother in front of her children, threatening to put her in hospital.

Burnley magistrates heard that Nicola Bonsall, 26, branded her mother "a bitch".

Mother-of-three Bonsall, of Gibson Street, Nelson, was given 12 months probation, ordered to pay £40 compensation and £80 costs, and was banned from driving for six months. She admitted common assault, possessing heroin, driving without insurance or MoT, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and theft.

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said Bonsall's mother, Linda Hillham, had been calling for two of the defendant's children. She went looking for Bonsall, who came out of a house, shouting and swearing at her.

Bonsall's mother, who was in a car, explained she wanted to speak to her, but the defendant opened the driver's door and struck her mother on the side of the face.

The children were in the car and were crying and screaming. Bonsall shouted to her mother to get out of her face. Bonsall kicked the car then went back, opened a door, got hold of her daughter and said: "It's your fault."

Mrs Duckworth said Bonsall's mother threatened to put the youngsters in care and the defendant replied: "If you put them in care, I will put you in hospital." When she was arrested, she called her mother a bitch.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Bonsall had been in custody and had got rid of her "shocking" heroin habit. She had probably got about as low as she could get. The proof of the pudding would be when Bonsall was released, when she would have to show she could keep off drugs.

Mr Ireland asked for credit for the defendant's guilty plea and said Bonsall was looking forward to making a new life and putting all her wrong doings behind her.

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