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A single mum of two has avoided a jail term for a vicious assault on a drunken night out after a judge said going to prison would "upset" her family.

Claire Steeden, 32, repeatedly punched and kicked Anthony Murray when he came to the aid of a man she and was attacking with another woman after they were thrown out of a nightclub.

The nursing home care worker and friend Mary Wharton, 35, left the 24-year-old unconscious in a pool of blood whilst they stole his £400 iPhone, another phone and £150 in cash.

The victim was taken to hospital but has been so badly affected by the beating in Blackpool, he now fears leaving his own home, going to pubs or nightclubs and being out in the street at night.

Steeden, who has a previous conviction for stealing £6,000 from her ex-fiancee to buy a scooter, was originally charged with robbery but admitted assault and theft at Burnley crown court.

She was given 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, with 160 hours unpaid work after the court heard she had ''responsibility'' for a son aged 12 and a daughter aged eight.

(Image: Cavendish)

Wharton who admitted assault and theft received 15 months in custody, suspended for two years, with a four month curfew, between 8pm and 6am.

The women, both of Blackpool, will be supervised by the probation service for two years.

Sentencing Judge Simon Newell said both women had drunk to excess in the club and added: "Certainly, one of you has said that you were ejected.

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"A lot of people were thrown out and it appears that trouble from the nightclub spilled out into the street.

"It seems to me that the nature, manner and level of violence, the fact it was in drink, in the street in Blackpool, are all aggravating features.

''It seems by chance rather than design that Mr Murray didn't have more serious injuries. My gut reaction is that a custodial sentence should follow.

(Image: Cavendish)

"There is, however, one matter and one matter alone which leads me to the conclusion that I can suspend the sentence in this case - Miss Steeden has the responsibility of two small children.

"It seems to me the distress, upset, disturbance and lack of stability for these children is such a specific matter that appertains to one of you, that I can suspend the sentence and I have to treat you both the same. The other gets the benefit of that matter.''

The court heard the violence took place on November 26, last year, after Steeden's marriage had broken down and she ended up on a drinking binge before being ejected from the gay themed Kaos bar in Blackpool.

Prosecutor Hugh McKee said Mr Murray, then 24, was in the resort visiting relatives and encountered trouble at 1am as he left the same nightclub.

Mr McKee said: "He had had a lot to drink it's fair to say, although he makes the point he knew what he was doing and he was aware of what was happening around him.

''There was a commotion on the street and the defendants appeared to be attacking another man.

"He went to help the man, pulling one of them away.

"They began to shout at him, he decided to run away and he was chased by the two defendants and, it has to be said, at least two males as well, who joined in.

''He was caught by the group, brought to the ground and attacked.

"He was kicked and punched. He could feel someone going through his pockets and had two mobile phones taken, a bag and £150 in cash.

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"He remembers then being helped by a police officer. He was seen to have a bloodied lip and was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. He may have been unconscious for a time."

Mr McKee said the incident had been witnessed by two security patrol men who saw the women involved in chasing, punching and kicking Mr Murray whilst he was on the ground.

(Image: PA)

One of the men involved was seen to repeatedly bang Mr Murray's head on the ground. The prosecutor said: "There is CCTV of the aftermath. Miss Wharton is seen to put a phone on the ground and Miss Steeden is seen to pick it up."

When arrested Steeden was found to have Mr Murray's Nokia phone complete with a smashed screen.

She later said there had been a scuffle in Kaos and everybody had been thrown out.

She initially denied assault claiming she had picked up a mobile phone thinking it might belong to one of her friends. No men were ever arrested over the trouble.

In mitigation Steeden's counsel Mr Huw Edwards said: "She feels real and genuine remorse for what she did. It's right to say that this remorse is heartfelt and genuine.

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"Her marriage had broken down and it had hit her exceptionally hard.

"She began to drink as a way of coping with the pain she felt and began socialising with a group of people she had known before. These offences took place against that sort of backdrop and in drink."

"The defendant feels disgusted with herself for what she has done. As a result of these offences, she has taken positive steps to reduce her drinking.

"Five or six months ago she stopped entirely and has not drunk since. She has realised what can happen when she takes excessive drink."

Mr Edwards handed in a character reference speaking of Steeden's ability as a carer and adding: ''It's clearly something she has a talent for."