A YOUNG dad's first night out in his new home town of Barnoldswick ended with him suffering a smashed skull.

Burnley Crown Court heard Dominc Heys was punched by James Cooper and knocked to the ground, hitting his head on the cobbles outside the Seven Stars pub.

As he lay unconscious with his girlfriend trying to bring him round Christopher Garner walked up and put the boot in, causing his head to shake violently.

Cooper, 22, of Harrison Street, had earlier admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, last June 7.

Garner, 18, of Wellington Street, denied assault causing actual bodily harm but was convicted by a jury after a three day trial. Both men, from Barnoldswick, were bailed until February 7 for pre-sentence reports, by Judge Christopher Cornwall.

The court had been told Mr Heys, father of a five-year-old daughter who had only just recently moved to Barnoldswick, probably suffered the fractured skull before Garner came out of the pub. His hearing in the left ear was affected for about four weeks after the assault.

Garner, who had had about five pints of beer and was of previous good character, must have aggravated the victim's condition by causing some additional hurt. Mr Heys had no recollection of being kicked while on the ground.

His girlfriend Judith Toward told the court thatas she and Mr Heys were leaving the pub, Cooper and another man were waiting for them.

Cooper ushered the victim around the corner and the other man said Mr Heys was going to be punched. He fell to the ground and when Cooper was asked why he had hit Mr Heys, he said the complainant had asked for it.

The jury heard Miss Toward went over to her partner, talked to him and tried to bring him round. Garner appeared and thinking he had come to offer help, Miss Toward stood up. The defendant then kicked Mr Heys hard to the left side of his head with his boot. Mr Heys' head shook violently and Garner then ran off.

Garner was arrested on June 29. He denied ever kicking Mr Heys.

The defendant claimed he had heard shouting and screaming from the woman who was kneeling over Mr Heys. Garner alleged he had held up Mr Heys' chin with his boot to see if he recognised him. He said he did not bend down to him in case he struck out.