A YOUNG woman was today starting 12 months in jail for breaking the jaw of another woman who was out celebrating her 21st birthday.

Laura Jane Smith, 24, ran after victim Leanne Coulson, who was going to what she thought was "safety", the honorary recorder of York Judge Paul Hoffman said.

She pulled the younger woman to the ground and repeatedly kicked her, fracturing her jaw.

"This court is frankly disturbed by the number of young women like you who have far too much to drink and commit acts of violence," the judge told Smith.

He said women who behaved in a "drunken loutish" way would be treated the same as men. He jailed Smith, of Marston Avenue, Chapelfields, for 12 months. She had denied causing grievous bodily harm, but was convicted in December.

The jury heard that the two women were strangers and had been drinking. They exchanged insults and punches outside the Gallery night club early on November 1, 2001, and door staff split them up. But as Ms Coulson, who was celebrating her 21st birthday, walked away past York Magistrates Court, Smith chased after her.

For Smith, Geraldine Kelly said she was remorseful for her actions which were out of character and handed in several character references for her. She said a psychiatric illness had "blighted" Smith's life since 1997 and that a doctor feared imprisonment would give her a relapse. Because of her health problems, she had difficulty holding down permanent work and had been out of work since last summer because of the stress of the court case.

Updated: 11:45 Friday, March 07, 2003