LEE Lawrenson took a baseball bat to a car's windows and body panels after a late night dispute with the occupants, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that while Lawrenson accepted causing the damage there was a world of difference between the prosecution and defence versions of events leading up to the incident and the offence.

Lawrenson, 27, of Smalley Way, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was fined £150 with £50 costs. The magistrates declined to make an order for compensation because the issue was not straightforward and should therefore be pursued in another court.

John Wood, prosecuting, said police were called to Mincing Lane in the early hours of the morning. They found the windows of a black Nissan Micra had been smashed and there was damage to the bonnet and roof.

Mr Church-Taylor said his client had been to Utopia nightclub with his girlfriend and they were walking home when the Nissan, containing four or five Asian youths, drove past and the occupants shouted abuse.

"He responded and as a result the car came to a halt and the group alighted," said Mr Church-Taylor. "They attacked him as he stood in a doorway trying to protect his girlfriend."

Mr Church-Taylor said that if the prosecution witnesses were to be believed the incident started when Lawrenson approached them and asked for a cigarette. "He doesn't smoke," said Mr Church-Taylor.