A youth seen to throw a punch at a much younger teenager during the Blues Festival told police he had merely 'smacked' the13-year-old. Burnley Magistrates heard how apprentice butcher Jonathan Brogan, 18, was spotted by officers in the early hours and ended up being arrested.
Brogan, of Hibson Road, Nelson, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and was given a 12 months conditional discharge. He was told by the bench it was a shame when such incidents marred the Festival.
John Greenwood, defending, said Brogan accepted he had had quite a lot to drink.
He effectively took the law into his own hands when he saw the boy strike another boy of similar age. He would not have taken that course of action had he not been under the influence of drink.
He apologised for his behaviour and had spent quite a number of hours in custody.
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