A MAN out celebrating New Years Eve with his sister suffered serious injuries after being punched by a man he had known for 15 years.

Blackburn magistrates heard Nicholas Green only punched the other man once but he was knocked unconscious and suffered fractures to his jaw, cheek bone and eye socket.

He had limited jaw movement and was only able to drink through a straw.

Green, 30, of Tarren Grove, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Adrian Devers causing him grievous bodily harm. He was committed on bail to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on November 26.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the two men had known each other for 15 years and there had been no issues between them. On New Years Eve they were in the Starkie Arms when there was a dispute and after both men had swung punches but missed Green landed a punch which knocked the other man out.

"The sister said she thought her brother was dead and clearly this incident had a psychological impact on her and her brother," said Mrs Mann.