A MAN has been jailed for his role in a gang attack on a woman in which she was sprayed in the face with lighter fluid.

Christian Hall, aged 27, of Powell Street, Bury, was among the group who sprayed the substance into the face of Kayleigh Barnes in Rawtenstall.

Ms Barnes, who is aged in her early 20s, was walking along Prospect Hill on August 11 last year at about 6.30pm when she was approached by a number of men.

They threatened to spray acid in her face.

One of the offenders produced a canister of lighter fluid and sprayed it into her face, causing discomfort but no injury. The gang then ran off.

Police later arrested Hall and he was charged with assault.

Hall originally denied the charge to Bury magistrates but changed his plea to guilty at a hearing on February 11.

He was jailed for 18 weeks at the same court last week after magistrates considered that the offence was serious because the victim believed she was being subjected to an acid attack.

After the sentencing, Detective Constable Shaun Juriansz, of Burnley CID, said: "This was a serious assault in which a young woman was attacked and left in fear that serious harm could have come to her.

"It is fortunate that the victim was not seriously injured although understandably she has been left shaken by the ordeal.

"I hope the sentence brings some closure for the victim and warns others that assault is a crime which is treated seriously by both the police and the courts."