A WOMAN only stopped attacking a love rival when her victim had an epileptic fit, a court heard.

Later she phoned the other woman as she awaited treatment at York Hospital and threatened to burn down the house where she lived with her children if she went to the police about the attack.

Simon Reevell, prosecuting, told York Crown Court that Leanne Langstaff, 29, saw red when Louise Newell told her she had slept with Langstaff's boyfriend.

Outside the Quaker Wood pub in Acomb on October 6, the 29-year-old punched her love rival in the face, head and body, in a fight that put both women on the ground.

Langstaff got on top of epileptic Ms Newell and punched her in the face. She only stopped when Ms Newell had a fit.

The court heard that Langstaff did not know that Ms Newell was epileptic and had tried to help the other woman by laying her on her side. But it also heard that as the second woman was waiting for medical help for her injuries at York Hospital, Langstaff phoned her, claiming to be called "Gemma".

Mr Reevell said that Langstaff told Ms Newell that if she went to the police "that kicking will feel like a tickling". Then she threatened to burn down the house where Ms Newell lived with her children.

"I regard (it) as an absolutely disgusting telephone call," Recorder Henry Prosser told Langstaff. "The effect on her was a horrible thing to do."

Earlier he had told her: "You have two children for whom you are mainly responsible. It appears that didn't weigh at all heavily with you on October 6."

Ms Newell alleged that Langstaff had kicked her during the fight, but when called to come to court, said she no longer wanted to give evidence, York Crown Court heard.

Langstaff, a mother-of-two, of Kingsway West, Acomb, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and witness intimidation, and was put on probation for two years. The court heard she had previous convictions for violence.

Mr Reevell said Ms Newell's wrist hurt so much that doctors twice X-rayed it fearing that it was broken, and put it in a splice. Ms Newell also had scratches, swelling and bruising on parts of her body and head, and some of her hair had been pulled out.

For Langstaff, Peter Johnson said she was the main carer for two young children. She had a bad back and could not work. The witness intimidation had occurred very soon after the attack.

Updated: 11:02 Monday, May 09, 2005