A man who answered the door to his former partner claimed she attacked him for no reason, scratching his neck, and trying to knee him in the groin, a court heard.

But Hyndburn magistrates were told that Shirley Ann Bolton had been provoked when her ex opened the door wearing his boxers and a T-shirt and was followed by woman wearing even less.

Bolton, 42, of Springfield Street, Darwen, admitted assaulting Paul McGuire. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 compensation and £95 costs.

Prosecutor Philippa White, said the couple had been in a relationship for seven months.

They attended the same church and after the break-up saw each other several times.

Mrs White said: "She physically attacked him. He wanted to defend himself but didn't want to hurt her."

Pam Baldwin, defending, said her client accepted much of what had been said but felt McGuire was econ-omic with the full truth.