THREE mothers involved in the late-night beating of a young woman out on the town have all kept their freedom.

A court heard victim Danielle Hindle was dragged from a taxi by her hair, and knocked to the ground and a judge said why it happened was beyond his comprehension.

Miss Hindle was left with bald patches after the melee in Great Harwood last April and suffered various injuries, Burnley Crown Court was told Recorder Alan Booth told the three that such incidents on the streets were all too common and were taken seriously by the courts.

But, he added, it had been a year since the trouble, the defendants Amy Longmore, 22, Keely Longmore, 27, and Sarah Walton, 25, had all behaved since and there was no reason why any of them should end up in a dock again.

Amy Longmore, of Haworth Street, Rishton, who had her second child just five days ago, Sarah Walton, of Spring Street, Rishton and Keely Longmore, of Orchard Street, Great Harwood, all admitted common assault.

Each was fined £250 and they were told they would face 14 days in prison if they did not pay up.

David Pickup, prosecuting, told the court Miss Hindle was out with her boyfriend and went to Sopranos Wine Bar in Great Harwood.

Amy Longmore and Walton, who were also there, used to be her friends but they had fallen out.

Longmore began to abuse Miss Hindle, who left the premises and went to a taxi rank.

She was standing there when she was approached by the three defendants.

The victim was further abused, got in a taxi but was pulled from the vehicle by the defendants.

Mr Pickup said Miss Hindle's boyfriend arrived, the fighting stopped and the victim made a complaint to the police.

Miss Hindle suffered two bald patches on her head, bruises and other injuries.

All three defendants were later arrested. Michael Murray, for Keely Longmore, said she had been at home in bed when she was summoned by her sister.

He said: "Blood is thicker than water.

"She was concerned for the well-being of her sister."

He added the defendant had been a hard-working, decent and law abiding member of society. Her conduct was out of character.

Defending Amy Longmore, Charles Brown said she was not a persistent repeat offender.

Her crown court appearance was an experience she did not wish to repeat.

John Woodward, representing Walton, told the court the mother of two had not gone out looking for trouble. She had gone to help her friend.

The barrister went on: "She has been wholly chastised by the whole experience of the court proceedings and in particular being before the crown court."