A MAN suffered a smashed cheek after he was allegedly attacked outside a pub and kicked about the head and body by two men.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Phil Crook also received black eyes and cuts and bruises, after "angry," Lee Birkett, 18, landed the first punch and his friend Andrew Davies, also 18, then joined in the street fracas in Great Harwood..

The jury was told how Birkett was said to have been abused by Danielle Gillibrand, a girl he had once "stood up." She then went into the public house and told him to wait. The defendant expected somebody to come out of the pub, allegedly waited in an alley and when Mr Crook came outside, ran at him and set about him.

Davies was then said to have joined in the attack and both men kicked Mr Crook about the head and body.

Birkett, who told the jury one of his teeth was shattered after Miss Gillibrand kicked him in the mouth, claimed he was acting in self defence and also got a black eye and a gash above his eye

Davies told police Birkett and Mr Crook were scuffling on the floor and all he had done was to try and split them up.

Davies, of St Hubert's Road, Great Harwood, and Birkett, of Adison Close, Blackburn, both deny grievous bodily harm with intent, last September.

Birkett told the court he had been fighting with Mr Crook. He said he was on his way back from the shop and was going to his grandma's when Miss Gillibrand started calling him names.

He said he had once been meant to meet her at a bus stop, but didn't. She was cross and "in his face," and looked like she wanted a fight.

Birkett said Miss Gillibrand came across the road and he asked if she was going to get her boyfriend. Miss Gillibrand walked back to the pub, told Birkett to wait, but he carried on walking.

The court heard Davies told police Mr Crook and Birkett were scuffling on the floor and he had tried to split them up. He said Miss Gillibrand got on his back, dragged him down, but he had pushed her away.

(Proceeding)