A SCRAP metal dealer who attacked a father-of-two has been jailed for 12 months.

Thomas Smith, 26, who runs three scrap yards, was told by Judge Raymond Bennett that he was lucky not to receive a longer sentence.

Burnley Crown Court heard Smith, of The Oaks, Meadow Street, Great Harwood, had earlier been found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm, after a three-day trial.

The court was told how Smith, father of a baby daughter, had left his victim with two broken front teeth, cuts and bruises to his chin and a wound to his lip after the incident last November.

Jury members had heard how victim Philip Cocker had gone to the aid of a schoolboy the defendant had been chasing around a car and told them both to go away.

As Mr Cocker turned to go back into his former partner's home, he was punched in the face. He fell to the ground and was unconscious for a short time. A neighbour went to help him.

The defendant told police he had been to a funeral, had had a lot to drink and got home in the early hours.

An identity parade was later organised and Mr Cocker and his neighbour both picked out Smith.

Tim Ashmole, defending, said since Smith had been remanded in custody, his wife had been struggling to manage all three scrap yards as well as being a full time mother, his father had difficulties with his heart and the stress of the case wasn't going to help.

If Smith received a jail term of short duration, he hoped he could keep the scrap yards open and running and his employees would not lose their jobs.

Smith accepted the jury's verdict and had to acknowledge he must do something about his temper.