A NIGHTCLUBBER ended up unconscious with her face covered in blood, after she was pulled to the ground by a drunken woman, a court was told.

The woman, mother-of-two Christine Rosena Gilchrist, 25, then lashed out at a second victim, an epileptic, who was hit on the side of her head, Burnley magistrates heard.

Gilchrist, of Kent Street, Burnley, was put on probation for 12 months by magistrates, who described her night on the town as "a sorry tale," and added had she been able to see herself, she probably would have been disgusted.

Gilchrist must pay £275 in compensation and costs. She admitted assault by beating and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, on July 31 1998. Christiana Buchanan, prosecuting, said the assault victim, Michelle Weldon, had been to VIPs nightclub, Burnley. Miss Weldon was going for a taxi when she was grabbed by the hair from behind.

Gilchrist, who claimed Miss Weldon had been picking on her at VIPs, pulled her to the floor. Miss Weldon fell, banging her head on the kerb, and losing consciousness. The next thing she recalled was being cleaned up and taken to hospital.

Miss Weldon's friend reported the defendant punching the victim in the face, leaving her covered in blood. Gilchrist then lashed out at an epileptic, who had not been drinking, striking her and making her extremely frightened.

Mrs Buchanan said when police arrived, the defendant was barely able to stand, her speech was slurred and she was lashing out. She alleged: "That bitch nicked my purse."

After the assault, Miss Weldon suffered concussion and a swollen nose. The other girl had fits more regularly and a neurologist felt her involvement in the incident could have increased the frequency of seizures.

Mark Williams, defending, said Gilchrist's recollection of events was scant. She had gone to a club where people paid a price to get in and then could drink as much as they wanted.

The defendant believed she had been pushed or tripped and banged her head and was confused by what was going on. One way or another she had lost her purse. She was battered about and lashing out, although she was not assaulted by the aggrieved.

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