A 39-YEAR-OLD man who hit a woman in a pub melee was told by a judge he should have grown up by now.

Kevin Scott, whose victim suffered a black eye and a laceration to her cheek, had punched her once in the face.

Sentencing the defendant, Recorder Quentin Querelle warned him to stop drinking so much.

He added he could have sent Smith to jail or up to six months - but instead he was giving him the assistance of the probation service who would help show him where he was going wrong.

Smith, of Moorland Road, Burnley, was given an 18 month community rehabilitation order after and must pay £100 compensation and £75 costs. He admitted common assault.

The court was told the offence took place at the Cross Keys pub in Burnley, where the defendant went to split a fight up.

He went beyond reasonable help and hit the woman.

Bob Elias, defending, said the offence of common assault was not normally dealt with by way of a custodial sentence.