A TEENAGER taunted over her brother's responsibility for the death of a 12-year-old boy in a car crash finally snapped.

Blackburn magistrates heard how she attacked another woman, hitting her in the face, pulling out hair and trying to smash her face into the floor.

Roger Pickles, defending, said his client had reacted to extreme provocation.

Stacey Maria Thomson, 19, of Fielding Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Andrea Yeoman. Magistrates decided the two versions of events were too far apart and they would have to hear evidence from both sides before passing sentence. The case was adjourned until September 15.

Phillipa White, prosecuting, said Andrea Yeoman had been at home with her three children, two of whom are disabled. Her eight year old daughter came into the house saying her mum was fat, an alcoholic and could not look after her kids. She went to the door and Thomson was making similar remarks outside the house.

She said words were exchanged between the two women before Thomson became angry and aggressive and then lunged at Miss Yeoman, grabbing her by the hair and trying to grab her throat. They went to the floor with Thomson on top and Miss Yeoman felt hair being ripped from her head. Thomson tried to bang her head against the floor before she was dragged off by three neighbours.

Mr Pickles said Thomson's brother Carl Thomson had pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and was due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court next week.