A TEENAGER has offered an olive branch to the man he assaulted, saying he would like to "shake hands and call it a day".

Mohammed Ali, 19, pleaded guilty to assaulting Shaun Whelan outside Pizza Pazz in Whalley Road, Accrington, and received 12 months supervision with the CALM anger management programme.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Ali has pushed 24-year-old Mr Whelan out of the pizza shop doorway, and punched him in the face after Mr Whelan spat at him.

After the case, Mr Whelan, who was left with cuts and bruises, said he thought Ali should be banned from working with the public because the assault had been "totally uncalled for". He denied spitting.

When told of Ali's gesture he said: "It was out of order but he's been punished so I am happy to let bygones be bygones and shake hands."

Ali, of Charter Street in Accrington, had claimed that he had assaulted Mr Whelan, of Devonshire Drive in Clayton-le-Moors, in retaliation.

He said: "I do admit that I hit him, but he had been drinking heavily, and spat in my face.

"It if he would like to shake hands and call it a day, I'd be very happy to.

"But saying I'm a danger to the public is ridiculous, I could just as easily say that he shouldn't drink so much if he can't handle it and it makes him act like that."

Mr Ali also said he wanted to stress that he is not the owner or manager of Pizza Pazz, as previously stated in court.

The owner of the family business is Shiber Ahmed, who had no involvement with the incident.

Mr Ali said he was a temporary staff member at the shop.