A GANG which caused trouble after a woman's home was invaded was suspected of dishing out a "punishment beating", a court was told.

The victim had given evidence in a court case which led to a man being jailed for 18 months for a sex offence but the four claimed that was not why they had gone round, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Judge Christopher Cornwall told the four: mother-of-four Cheryl Akers, 36; mother-of-three Coleen Morgan, 38; her son Nathan Morgan, 20; and mother-of-three Gemma Pemberton, 22, that if that had been the reason for their visit he would have jailed them without a moment's hesitation.

He said the defendants had invaded the victim's home at night and children who were present were terrified.

The Morgans, of Whitehall Street, Nelson, Akers, of Pine Street, Nelson, and Pemberton, now living in Wales, all admitted affray.

Nathan Morgan, who did not use violence in the house, was given community service and his mother and Akers, who both used violence against the woman, were each given 120 hours community service, with a three-month curfew, between 8pm and 6am.

Pemberton, who did not go in the house but was said to have scuffled with a "knife-armed" schoolgirl outside, was given a two-year rehabilitation order with a three-month curfew. All must pay £300 costs.

Solicitors for all the defendants said they regretted the incident had ever taken place and they all wanted to put it behind them.