A MAN seen by police to hit a woman during Colne Blues Festival was told by Burnley Magistrates such behaviour brought 'disrepute' on the event.

The court had heard how father-of-two Darren Stobbs, 36, was clearly drunk, was arrested but the alleged victim did not want to make a complaint of assault.

Stobbs, of Highgate, Nelson, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and was fined £100, with £55 costs.

The bench told the defendant he was lucky he had not been charged with a more serious offence and his behaviour would not be tolerated in a public place.

They added it was incidents like this which 'hit the press,' bringing disrepute on the Blues Festival and that was totally unwarranted.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said police were driving along Albert Road, Colne, just after midnight and saw Stobbs strike a woman in the face with his clenched fist.

An officer went to speak to him and the defendant lunged at the same woman again but she managed to back away.

Stobbs was clearly drunk and was arrested but the victim did not want to make a complaint.

Stobbs apologised to the court for his actions but said he did not think he actually hit the woman.