A BRUTAL fight involving four women in Barrow has left one with memory loss problems, bald patches and severe shaking.

Paula Whitehouse, 40, of Raglan Court, Barrow was acquitted of using threatening, abusive and insulting words and provoking unlawful violence with intent to cause fear at Furness Magistrates' Court on Monday August 22.

Ms Whitehouse, who denied the charges, was involved in the incident with three other women: Ruth Dawn James, 40, of Penrith Street, Barrow, Donna Louise Stainton, 40, and Rachael Sandra Jones, 40, both of Raglan Court.

The court heard how Whitehouse was accused of laughing at the death of Stainton's sister which sparked the brawl on July 3.

The 40-year-old said Stainton had been banging on the window of Whitehouse's home and later punched her in the head after she left her home barefooted to go to Jones' flat.

Mr Andrew Gallagher, defending, said: "She was undoubtedly the victim of a horrific attack.

"I am certainly shocked by this and in all the years I have been doing this job, it is the most shocking I have seen. It amounts to three females kicking and punching another who is for the most part on the floor."

Footage of the ordeal was caught on CCTV and lasted almost 10 minutes.

Miss Colette Renton, prosecuting, called the situation "emotionally fraught" and said it was "exacerbated by drink".

When asked by Miss Renton why Ms Whitehouse didn't walk away or run home, she replied: "I didn't know where I was or what I was doing.

"I thought Rachael was my friend and I was just being attacked and staggering around.

"I hadn't realised that it was Rachael who kicked me in the head so many times."

Photographs of Ms Whitehouse's injuries taken at Furness General hospital showed severe swelling and bruising to her face, arms and legs.

She also had swollen ankles, bloodied feet and bald patches from where her hair had been ripped out and told the court how she suffers from memory loss.

Ms Whitehouse added: "I just wanted it to stop and had no intention of using violence and it has shocked me because I could see more than one person hitting me when I was on the floor."

Jones pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence and was given a 22-week jail sentence, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 280 hours of unpaid work as well as paying a £115 victim surcharge and £150 court costs.

Stainton pleaded guilty to the same charge on August 4 and was given a suspended sentence of 16 weeks, electronically tagged for four months and ordered to pay £200 compensation, a £115 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

James was also given a 16-week suspended sentence and 250 hours of unpaid work as well as £250 compensation costs and a victim surcharge of £115. She must also pay court costs of £85.

Magistrate Mr George Butler said he was satisfied that the force Ms Whitehouse used was "reasonable" and her actions were "necessary".

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