A HOUSING association manager was punched in the face by a former tenant who she bumped into outside a Darwen pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the explosive bonfire night situation ended with Lyn Chelton biting through her lip as a result of the single blow landed by David McKenna.

McKenna, 35, of Sunnybank Street, Darwen, was convicted in his absence of assaulting Miss Chelton. He was remanded on bail until July 1 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said Miss Chelton had known McKenna for over three years in her capacity as a manager with Twin Valleys Housing. He had previously been evicted from one of their properties.

On November 5 she had briefly called into the Brookside pub and when she got into her car outside heard a loud bang.

Mr Ainge said: "She wasn't sure if a firework had hit her car and got out to investigate."

He added that McKenna shouted a racist comment at his client and then told her he "hated her".

Miss Chelton told him not to be stupid and as she got back into her car he took a swing and hit her in the face.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said McKenna had always denied the offence but because he had not attended for his trial he could not now dispute the prosecution version of events.

"He accepts that he knew this lady and that he had been evicted from one of the properties managed by the company for which she works," said Mr Blacklidge.

"He also accepts that they had exchanged words and they hadn't been pleasantries. He says it was six of one and half a dozen of the other."