A MAN who beat up a pub landlord in front of customers has been spared an immediate jail term.

Graeme Barrie, 27, had "back handed" victim Vincent Gates - his sister's estranged husband- before a scuffle broke out at the Knowles Arms, Blackburn, last September.

Barrie, of Peridot Close, Blackburn, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm before magistrates and had been committed for sentence to Burnley Crown Court as he had a previous serious offence on his record.

The defendant was goven 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, with 100 hours unpaid work.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, told the court Mr Gates was married to the defendant's sister, but they had split up.

Barrie went into the pub, was drinking for several hours and there appeared to be no problem.

But, just after midnight, the defendant went over to the victim, pointed his finger and hit him in the left eye.

Miss Statham said a witness reported how Barrie had "backhande," the victim across the face. People in the pub went towards Barrie to get him away, they managed to do that but a few minutes later, he again approached the victim, shouted abuse and struck him in the face a second time.

A scuffle then broke out, which was brought to an end by customers. Mr Gates suffered minor injuries and did not seek medical help.

The prosecutor said Barrie was described as being quite drunk. When police arrived, he was walking all over the road. They drove up to the side of him, he was extremely aggressive and officers had to take him to the ground. He then tried to bite one officer on the knee. Barrie, who had 25 previous convuctions, was interviewed and did not accept the circumstances of the assault.