A DRUNKEN teenager who attacked a girl in the street was jailed -- but won her freedom at the same time.

Burnley magistrates heard how student Claire Louise Duckworth, 18, who was the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, had had a cocktail of alcohol even though she was not supposed to be drunk in public.

Duckworth, who has flouted the order several times, was jailed for three months, but as she had been in custody seven weeks, she was immediately released.

The bench told her she had persistently breached the ASBO, had been drunk, violent and abusive and had failed to respond to previous sentences.

Duckworth, of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, admitted breaching the order and assault by beating on January 15.

Elizabeth Read, prosecuting, told the court the assault was nasty and unprovoked. The victim was walking home after midnight with her friends in Burnley.

The defendant went across the road to her and, for absolutely no reason, hit the girl in the face.

The victim felt she lost consciousness for a few seconds, was bent over in pain and had blood coming from her nose.

Duckworth and another female then ran off but when the victim later saw the defendant and asked her why she had done it, Duckworth replied: "Shut up you stupid bitch."

Mrs Read said the victim was taken to hospital by ambulance where it was first thought her nose had been broken.

Her nose was swollen and cut and she had bruises to her eyes, headache and was dizzy and in pain.

Sara Lyle, defending, said Duckworth had been drinking at a friend's house and was walking along the street when she thought the girl looked at her in a certain way.

She did slap her but the offence was not premeditated.

The defendant was ashamed, sorry and had written the victim a letter of apology.

Duckworth studied at Burnley College and was taking her responsibilities seriously for the first time. She had been in custody 48 days.

Miss Lyle continued: "The defendant accepts she needs help with regard to anger management."