A man was head butted without warning as he walked off the dance floor in an Accrington town centre pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard Roger Walker then kicked his victim repeatedly about the head and body leaving him bleeding heavily from a cut to his face which required five stitches.

Walker, 45, of Stanley Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assaulting Thomas French. He was made subject to a curfew on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights between 8 pm and 7 am for 12 weeks, ordered to pay £150 compensation and £310 costs.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, said Mr French had been out with family and at about midnight went into the Bridge Inn. As he walked off the dance floor he saw a man in front of him and felt a blow to his face.

“When he eventually managed to get to his feet his face was bleeding and the assailant had gone,” said Miss Bramley.

Damian Pickup, defending, said Walker had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of the basis of self defence.

“He says the complainant was going for him but he accepts that what happened after went beyond self-defence,” said Mr Pickup. “My client told him to go away because of his behaviour towards a female friend.”