A TEENAGE girl was kicked in the face by a six foot tall man after she rejected his amorous advances, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that 5ft 4ins Louise Simmons was accosted by Kenneth Walkden as she walked home from a night out in Longridge.

He ran up and demanded a kiss and when she refused, put his arms round her and pulled her towards him.

And when she pushed him away he responded with a kick in the face which knocked Miss Simmons to the floor and resulted in her needing hospital treatment.

Walkden, 21, of Skeffington Road, Preston, pleaded guilty to assault. He was remanded on bail until March 22 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports with all options including custody open to the sentencing bench.

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said Miss Simmons was walking home with a friend when she saw a group of males. Walkden was one of them and he ran across the road. He came face to face with Miss Simmons and asked for a kiss.

"She said no but he persisted and put his arms around her upper body," said Miss Crane. "She managed to push him away but as he stepped back he kicked her in the face.

"Miss Simmons says she is just 5 ft 4 ins tall and the defendant was able to raise his leg and kick her in the face."

She said Miss Simmons fell backwards and hurt her right elbow but didn't lose consciousness. She was taken to hospital by ambulance.

When interviewed Walkden admitted he had a "temper."

"This was quite a nasty attack on a young girl walking home and minding her own business," said Miss Crane.

Daniel King, defending, said his client had been suffering from schizophrenia for a number of years which was dealt with by medication.

"He accepts he had been drinking but he says he approached this girl with no malicious intent and asked for a kiss," said Mr King.

"She says she pushed him, he says it was more of a punch and that he kicked her while she was still standing."