A WOMAN tried to punch a man who called her friend fat outside a Chester pub, a court heard.

Rachel Gilmartin, 26, claimed she lashed out in defence of mum-of-three Jessica Harris, 23, near the Old Queen’s Head at around 10.30pm on December 21 last year.

The man, who had reportedly been laughing at them with a group of pals, then threw a drink over her before doormen intervened and the pair walked off.

CCTV operators had spotted the incident and alerted police officers, who arrested the two women.

Chester Magistrates Court heard that the pair had downed a litre of Captain Morgan rum between them before heading into the city for a night out.

Defending, Michael Gray said they had been to the Liverpool Arms and Plumbers Arms pubs before Harris decided she needed to use the toilet.

They were walking into the Old Queen’s Head on Foregate Street when the group of men started making comments about Harris, which riled Gilmartin.

“It made her feel upset for her friend and she confronted the males,” Mr Gray said. “She admitted attempting to hit one of them. The male threw a drink over her and that was the end of it.

“This was a short incident. It was impulsive and there was a level of provocation.”

Gilmartin, of Stamford Road, Blacon, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour while Harris, of Durham Road, Blacon, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

Mother-of-one Gilmartin, who has no previous convictions, was fined £120 and told to pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

“She is ashamed of her behaviour,” Mr Gray said.

It emerged Harris has four previous convictions, the last of which was a public order offence in May last year.

“She is ashamed of the fact that she is back before you,” Mr Gray told magistrates.

Harris was fined £40 for being drunk and disorderly and must also pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

The man was never traced and made no complaint to police, the court heard.