TWO women launched a vicious attack on a former school friend after a drunken row in Darlington town centre, a court heard yesterday.

Sarah Robson, 21, and Heather MacLeod, 22, were told by South Durham magistrates that they had narrowly escaped jail after closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed them punching and kicking Sheridan Hill to the ground.

Hari Jandoo, prosecuting, said the fight broke out in Skinnergate on October 22 after the defendants turned on Miss Hill, who is a hairdresser.

"She was kicked and punched about her body and face. When she was down on the ground she tried to protect herself," he said.

Mr Jandoo said MacLeod, a mortgage advisor, of North Road, Darlington, punched Miss Hill at least eight times.

Unemployed Robson, of Dunrobin Close, Darlington, threw a handbag at her and punched her six times in the back of the head, before kicking her to the ground.

"The attack was completely unprovoked," Mr Jandoo said.

Miss Hill, who told police she grew up and attended school with her attackers, suffered a swollen forehead and grazed knees.

Robson and MacLeod admitted affray at the hearing in Newton Aycliffe.

Michael Rayner, mitigating, said the women denied the attack was unprovoked.

He said Robson had been pregnant with her boyfriend's child but found out he was seeing a friend of Miss Hill's, so ended the relationship and had an abortion.

On the night in question, they met Miss Hill in Yates' Wine Lodge, in Darlington, where she was arguing with a male friend.

Mr Rayner said his clients were drawn into the fight after Miss Hill accused him of flirting with them and he attacked her.

He said Robson got involved after mention was made of her abortion.

"Both my clients are absolutely ashamed," he said.

Magistrates' chairman Donald Raper told the women that the CCTV footage had disgusted the bench.

Sentencing them to a 12-month community rehabilitation order, he said: "You are very fortunate you have avoided custody. Don't let it happen again."

They were each ordered to pay £300 compensation to Miss Hill and £118 costs.