A DAD took part in an attack on a terrified trial witness he dubbed a grass.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Stephen Turnbull had been subjected to violence by another man before Wesley Hall, 27, humiliated him by throwing soapy water and tomato ketchup over him.

The victim, who had been hit in the face, suffering a bust lip, was afterwards seen by his ex-partner who would say he was very shocked, absolutely terrified, white and crying.

Hall, a former soccer lout, of Buccleuch Road, Nelson, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, last November.

Judge Philip Butler said Mr Turnbull had been doing his public duty to put a "nasty and dangerous man" away, which was to his credit, but the defendant did not see it that way.

The judge told Hall, father of a five-year-old daughter and who has served time, the offence was mean and nasty.

He said he had been told Hall was more intelligent than the usual violent offender before the courts and he had been challenging to the probation service in the past.

Judge Butler said: "You know that there are those, who looking at your record, and your attitude would simply say ‘This chap is a waste of space and he needs to be locked up for a while’.

The defendant was given 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, with 100 hours unpaid work and supervision.

The court had been told during his ordeal Mr Turnbull had had been kicked, threatened that his legs would be broken and his throat slit and was frightened. He managed to escape and as he walked away Hall assaulted him with the water and ketchup.