THREE sisters narrowly avoided jail for their part in what a judge described as "an unpleasant and unattractive" drunken attack on an innocent woman.

Twins Natalie and Naomi Vasey, 31, were both ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work for the community and pay victim Michelle Dunning £250 compensation.

Sabina Vasey, 27, was given a two-year community rehabilitation order and was ordered to pay Ms Dunning £400 compensation by Judge Peter Armstrong.

The judge told them: "The three of you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves for what was an unpleasant and very unattractive incident."

Teesside Crown Court heard how Ms Dunning was attacked outside Hogan's bar in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, after going to the aid of the Vaseys' mother, Rose.

Graeme Gaston, prosecuting, said Mrs Vasey was in distress on the ground when Ms Dunning suggested to Natalie Vasey she needed help.

Natalie Vasey punched Ms Dunning and dragged her to the ground, before Naomi Vasey bit her on the leg. Sabina Vasey removed her belt and used it to whip Ms Dunning three times before kicking her in the face.

The court heard all three sisters, from Bishop Auckland, had previous convictions for violence before the incident last March.

Mark Styles, for Sabina Vasey, described her actions as "sheer stupidity".

Roger Moore, for Natalie Vasey, added it was not a premeditated attack.

And Christopher Dorman- O'Gowan told the court that Naomi Vasey now stays out of Bishop Auckland pubs.

Judge Armstrong said the sisters would be jailed for six months if they failed to carry out their community orders.

Natalie Vasey, of David Terrace, and Naomi Vasey, of Main Street, Witton Park, were found guilty of affray after a trial, while Sabina Vasey, of Bridge Street, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.