A WIDOW who attacked a pregnant woman and threatened to smash her face, has begun a six-month jail term.

Julie Clancy, 34, kicked victim Nicola Evans in the stomach, prompting her to have a scan to check on her unborn child. She also told Ms Evans, who had made a statement about Clancy to police, that she would "smash her face all over court", Burnley Crown Court heard.

Clancy, a-mother-of-two, was told by Recorder Andrew Lowcock the courts had a duty to protect would-be witnesses.

He said: "You have shown no remorse. I would be failing in my duty if I didn't pass an immediate custodial sentence."

Clancy, of Glenroy Avenue, Colne, was recently convicted of witness intimidation and common assault after a trial.

Arthur Stuttard, prosecuting, said Ms Evans was approached by the defendant and asked if she would change her statement regarding a shoplifting allegation.

She refused and Clancy approached her again and kicked her in the stomach, as well as causing a cut to her eye.

Ms Evans, then five months pregnant, was fearful for her baby and went for a scan.

Clancy also told Ms Evans that if she went down, she would smash her face all over court.

The defendant was also in breach of a conditional discharge after she was spotted drunk with a baby and almost pushed the child's pushchair into the road.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Clancy's problem had been heroin addiction and she was now receiving treatment at Gisburn Park Hospital.

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