Two women plotted to strip and attack their cousin after a row over a family wedding spilled onto Snapchat.

Trainee social worker Aroosa Butt, aged 22, was jailed and her sister Sidra, aged 24, given a community order after they lay in wait to attack their cousin Lairab as she left work in Blackburn, on December 4 2017.

Sidra, of St James's Road, Blackburn, was carrying a pair of scissors to help her sister cut off their cousin’s clothing, and a teenager was also recruited to film the attack - although she was later released without charge.

Preston Crown Court heard tension between the two sides of the family began when the women’s grandma said she would not go to the wedding of one Aroosa and Sidra’s sisters.

The row escalated on social media and a number derogatory messages were exchanged. Aroosa posted pictures of Lairab’s mother, and of Lairab wearing a crop top.

Lairab responded by posting a picture of Aroosa in her underwear, the court heard.

Recorder Kevin Grice said: “It is clear to me, as it must have been to the jury that you (Aroosa) from then on, resolved not simply to bring an end to this but to retaliate - in particular the photo of you in your underwear.

“That sets the scene for what then transpired.”

On Monday December 4, Aroosa, Sidra and the teenager waited for Lairab as she left work.

When she appeared at 11.20pm Aroosa jumped on her, punching her to her head and face and dragging her to the ground by her hood.

She straddled her cousin and continued to punch her, and kicked her at least once screaming and swearing at her in English and Punjabi.

Aroosa, also of St James's Road, Blackburn, shouted for her sister to help take off her cousin’s clothes, but the attack was interrupted before Sidra became involved.

Lairab suffered a fractured nose and had to have surgery for her injuries. However she will need further surgery to resolve ongoing issues with her breathing, the court heard.

Aroosa was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Lairab and Sidra was found guilty of possession of a bladed article - although the judge accepted the scissors had not been used in the attack.

Judge Grice said he had received a number of character references relating to Aroosa but told her: “This offence is so serious that only immediate custody is appropriate.”

Sidra was handed a community order, but the judge said: “I accept that the scissors weren’t taken for the purpose of violence. They were taken to help the removal of clothing for the purpose of humiliation 

“You didn’t appreciate the risk of taking any sort of blade to the scene of violence.

“You made a very, very grave error in getting involved that night.

“You could easily have been following your sister into custody.”

He jailed Aroosa for 27 months and handed Sidra a 12 month community order with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

By Aban Quaynor