A RETIRED Merchant Navy worker has been jailed for a year after pushing a woman down the stairs, breaking her back.

Samantha Balderstone, 26, suffered three fractured vertebrae and spent a month in hospital.

Drunken John Mowat pushed Ms Balderstone from half-way up the staircase after she followed him from a flat when he insulted her at a Christmas party.

Burnley Crown Court was told Mowat, 57, who formerly served in the Merchant Navy, had drunk alcohol for the first time in 18 months at the festive gathering last December 22.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said the victim had made a recovery as far as her neurological and physical conditions were concerned, but might need an operation to manage pain.

Ms Balderstone had been to a friend’s flat in Westgate, Burnley, and they had been drinking during the afternoon and evening.

Others arrived, including the defendant, who had the flat upstairs and came down towards the end of the evening.

He was welcomed, but then argued with the occupant.

Miss Statham said Ms Balderstone told them: “It’s Christmas. Let’s not fall out.”

Mowat left to go to his own flat and insulted Ms Balderstone on his way out.

She was not happy, followed him up the stairs and he pushed her in the chest.

She fell to the bottom, was in considerable pain and was taken to hospital.

It was feared at one point that she may not walk again.

Judge Beverley Lunt said: “The effect of being told you may never walk again, one cannot even begin to imagine.”

She told Mowat: “The injury you inflicted was life-changing and she will suffer from it for some time.”

Mowat, of Westgate, had admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Kevin Slack, defending, said the assault was not pre-meditated and it was not sustained in any way.

He said: “Through me, he wishes to apologise to Ms Balderstone for the extreme distress he has caused her.”