A GRANDMOTHER-of-five claimed she attacked a solicitor at a Burnley nightspot after being branded a ‘gyppo’.

CCTV footage played to Burnley magistrates showed Theresa Maughan, 44, raining blows on Joanna Ferguson, near the doorway of Alter Ego in Hammerton Street.

For Maughan, defence solicitor Gareth Walker said his client, who is also a mother-of-eight, felt she had been racially abused by the victim.

He said: “The word ‘gyppo’ was used and she took umbrage at this.”

Maughan said she was ‘utterly ashamed’ of what she had done Mr Walker said: “It was out of character. She has no convictions for violence.”

Prosecutor Alex Mann told the court Maughan had pointed out Ms Ferguson in the club and attacked her without warning.

The victim insisted she did not know what the defendant was talking about but was punched three or four times before door staff came to her aid.

She suffered swelling to her left eye, which was also left bloodshot.

Later, she told police the incident had left her ‘highly embarrassed’ because, as a solicitor, she was unable to see clients in that condition.

Maughan, of Padgate Place, Burnley, who admitted a common assault charge, was given a 12-week curfew by magistrates.

The defendant was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to her victim and a £60 victim surcharge by the court.