A 29-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted a couple as they left a Darwen nightclub claimed he had been the victim of an attack by another man.

Blackburn magistrates heard Liam Duff punched the male victim several times and banged his head against a wall.

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And when the victim's girlfriend arrived on the scene and started shouting at Duff she was pushed to the floor before he ran off pursued by the boyfriend.

Duff, 29, of Full View, Livesey, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ryan Clark and Jodie Griffiths.

He was made subject to a community order with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement and a curfew between 8 pm and 6 am for 10 weeks.

He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to each of the victims , £200 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said Mr Clark was waiting for his girlfriend who had gone to the toilet as they left a Darwen town centre club.

"All of a sudden he felt four blows to his head and his head was banged against the wall," said Mrs Geldard.

"He was on the floor when his girlfriend appeared and started shouting at the defendant. She fell to the floor and Mr Clark said that made him angry and he chased their attacker."

Peter King, defending, said there had been another male involved in the incident who had confronted his client and tried to provoke him to a fight.

"At some point Mr Clark came into view and my client thought he was going to get involved," said Mr King.

"He accepts he hit him three or four times. He was then chased by the two, and possibly a third male and he pushed the female out of the way as he ran off. He was caught by the males and he was assaulted by them."