A SINGLE punch attack on a former friend proved costly for a 38-year-old Baxenden man.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim was left with a permanent scar on his face after the attack in a pub toilet.

And the district judge who heard the case ordered Roberto Brollini to pay Gregg Fielding £900 compensation.

Brollini, of Brooke Close, Baxenden, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Fielding.

He was made subject to a curfew order for seven weeks and ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work. As well as £900 compensation he was ordered to pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said Brollini was out with his wife and Mr Fielding with his. They lived on the same street and until two years ago had all been good friends, even going on holiday together.

Mr Fielding was in the Baxenden Con Club and he saw Brollini who he described as getting drunk and becoming rowdy.

Mr Fielding and his wife moved on to another pub, not wanting to get involved.

"Mr Fielding went to the toilet and shortly after Brollini came in followed by the landlady," said Mr Harrison. "The landlady said she had seen Brollini push Mrs Fielding who fell to the floor. Brollini then pushed past the landlady and punched Mr Fielding in the face. He was knocked over and when he came round there was blood pouring from his mouth."

In a victim impact statement Mr Fielding said he and his wife had decided to move house as a result of the incident. He had needed 10 stitches to his lip and would be left with a permanent scar.

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said the two couple had been good friends until two years ago when there was a fall out and they went their separate ways.

"It was difficult because they live on the same street but they effectively ignored each other," said Mr Parkinson.

He said in the pub, after Mr Fielding had gone to the toilets, there had been words exchanged between Brolini and Mrs Fielding and he accepted he had pushed her away.

"He accepts further words were exchanged in the toilets," said Mr Parkinson. "He was upset and annoyed by what had been said to him and he lashed out."

Mr Parkinson said his client believed the Fieldings had already put their house on the market before the incident.