A FATHER who hit a man with a pool cue which resulted in his victim losing an eye has been jailed for six years.

Burnley Crown Court heard Nicu Tutorianu’s attack on Marian Neacsu happened in the Lord Nelson pub, Nelson.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident at 11.15pm on October 21 in which Mr Neacsu was hit in the face with what was described as an “effective weapon”.

Prosecutor Lisa Worsley said: “There had been an argument between the defendant and the complainant.

“There is dispute over what the argument was about. Mr Neacsu suggests it was over money owed by him.

“But the defendant said while they were in the pub an argument occurred over a woman he was dancing with.

“The defendant says he was threatened by Mr Neacsu. He was scared. He accepts he then got a pool cue. The CCTV shows the complainant was initially struck to the head with a single blow which caused the cue to break. He was then hit another couple of times.”

The court heard as a result of the attack Mr Neacsu had to have his left eye removed and also suffered a fractured nose.

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Tutorianu, 33, of Moore Street, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

The court heard Tutorianu had shown genuine remorse and his “inevitable” imprisonment would have a significant impact on his family.

Judge Mr Recorder Mark Ainsworth said: “Because you find yourself now in prison, and plainly you will be there some significant time to come, your son’s life has changed because he has gone back to Romania to live with your girlfriend. Not his mother. His mother is not involved with his care. It will be some time before you can return to him.

“Plainly your loss of temper that night is out of character, because you’re 33-years-old and of previous good character, and has had an impact on a number of people. That is a matter of significant regret.

“The loss of an eye is serious even within the context of a section18 wounding offence.

“The case also involved higher culpability on your part because you inflicted this injury with a weapon. That being a pool cue.

“One can see how effective a weapon it is because it is clear the primary injuries in this case came from the first blow. Although there were several blows inflicted on the complainant it was the first blow which was the most serious.

“I take into account your previous good character and the remorse you clearly feel. I accept the primary remorse isn’t for yourself but for the complainant and the injuries you have caused to him, and for your son.”

Tutorianu had his head bowed in the dock as Recorder Ainsworth sentenced him to six years imprisonment.