A ‘COWARD’ launched a racial attack in a nightclub on a man he claimed bullied him years ago at school.

Binge drinker James Coole, 23, left victim Saqab Javed with a broken knuckle on his right little finger after he delivered a blow from behind as Mr Javed was in the toilets at Baileys in Accrington.

Coole, who had downed 15 vodka mixers on April 1 last year, also hurled racial abuse.

He could not explain why he did what he did when he was arrested and claimed he knew ‘in his heart of hearts’ that he would not racially assault anybody.

Burnley Crown Court was told how Mr Javed had been forced to give up boxing for fun because of his injury and needed time off work as he was in a plaster cast.

Coole, of Duke Street, Oswaldtwistle, said to ‘work in schools’, admitted racially aggravated assault causing actual bodily harm.

The defendant, who had no previous convictions, was given a community order with six months' supervision and 140 hours’ unpaid work and must pay £750 compensation and £250 costs. Mark Savill, prosecuting, said Mr Javed felt a thud to the back of his head.

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He stumbled forward quite sharply and put his arms out to stop himself falling.

The victim spun round and saw the defendant, who raised his fist as if he was going to punch him.

Mr Javed put his hands up to protect himself, three companions of Coole told him to stop it, but he told the victim: ‘Come on, you used to be cocky at school.’ Mr Javed left and saw Coole staring at him, trying to intimidate him. He went to hospital the next day and underwent surgery.

The victim also suffered cuts to his hand and a lump to his head.

Mr Savill added: “The prosecution do not accept any behaviour at any time that justified this assault upon the complainant.”

David Ryan, for Coole, said he wished to apologise publicly for his actions and he had not intended to cause the serious injury.

He said: “He did what he did because it brought back memories from years of bullying at the hands of this victim and his associates.”

Sentencing, Judge Simon Newell said there was no suggestion the bullying involved Mr Javed.

He said: “What had gone on at school should have stayed at school.”

The judge, who said that Coole had been a coward to attack the victim from behind, said: “Whatever racial background there was to this cannot and must not persist.

“We live in a mixed community and everybody has to be protected from abuse.”