AN ANGRY father-of-two who knocked out a man because the music at a neighbouring Halloween party was too loud was lucky not to have killed his victim, a judge said.

Scott Grant, 40, whose children were sleeping in their then home on a ‘rough estate’, punched Berat Mjekiqi, known as Baz, who then dropped to the ground on Mere Court, Burnley.

A resident who saw the violence told police how the victim was lifted completely off his feet, landed on his back and smashed the back of his head on the road.

He said: “I heard the thud from the window as his head hit the floor. I was really concerned about Baz. People wanted to go out but were too scared.”

The town's crown court heard how Mr Mjekiqi, who was in fancy dress wearing a wig, make-up, a green top and leggings, was floored when he went outside at 11pm and was talking to friends. Grant's partner was said to have approached Mr Mjekiqi and shouted at him and the defendant then hit him. A melee, not involving Grant, who may have been shocked by his actions, then continued in the street.

The hearing was told the victim needed six stitches to his cheek, 10 stitches inside his mouth, suffered cuts and grazes and was permanently scarred.

Grant was arrested but lied to police as he had been told the victim was in a coma.

Judge Beverley Lunt blamed the defendant's partner for the incident escalating.

She imposed 16 months in jail, suspended for two years, on jobless Grant of Hargrove Avenue, Padiham. The defendant admitted wounding, last November 1.

The court was told Grant had a ‘very significant’ record, including convictions for police assault and wounding and had been to jail.

Hugh McKee, defending, said Grant went off the rails when he was younger, but had not committed any offences of violence since 2005.

Sentencing, Judge Lunt told Grant he had struck a ‘massive blow’.

She said: “If you had stayed in your home, none of this would have happened.

“You should thank your lucky stars that he didn't get killed when he hit his head on that pavement.

“You got drawn into this by the quite disgraceful conduct of other people. There are others who need to look to their behaviour and they should feel responsible. In my judgement, other people should be in that dock with you.”