AN attacker who smashed a man’s cheek as he sat in a taxi claimed the victim had made a sexual remark about someone, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Christopher Heaton, 30, was said by the prosecution to have punched the victim at least five times in the face as he left Nelson Golf Club, on February 23.

Heaton was alleged to have run after a taxi, flagged it down, opened the door, and set about the victim, who was constrained by a seat belt.

The victim suffered a fractured cheekbone.

Heaton claimed he went to speak to the other man to ask him to apologise, and hit him once when he didn’t.

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson said: “The victim says he was subjected to abuse during the course of the evening. Mr Heaton says it was completely the reverse and the victim gave him abuse, and there was signifiant provocation. That is not accepted by the Crown.”

Heaton, of Albion Street, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. The case was adjourned until December 6, for a trial over the facts.