A MAN who assaulted a fellow customer sparked a massive brawl in an Accrington pub.

Sean Foster, 45, had probably had too much to drink, had got into a row with victim Christopher Hart and lashed out at him with a glass, hitting him in the face. He had not caused any injury, but the incident led to a fight involving about 40 people, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Foster had originally been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, but admitted common assault on the day of trial.

The defendant, of Sparth Road, Clayton-le-Moors, was also ordered to pay £750 costs and given a 12-month conditional discharge. He had no previous convictions.

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The hearing was told after the scuffling broke out at the Nag's Head, on Blackburn Road, Foster did not get involved, apart from helping to pick a person up.

Alexander Rostron, defending, said Foster was a sociable man, but was not really someone who went out drinking.

He stayed at home with his wife and sons. The barrister added: “It was a one off incident.”

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Woolman told Foster he had lashed out “for wholly unjustified reasons,” and said if he had caused any injury, he would have been charged with a more serious offence and would have been going to prison.