A REGULAR who was thrown out of his local pup paid the price for hitting out at a door -- he fell through the glass, gashed his head and stomach and had to be rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

Burnley magistrates heard how window cleaner Lee Michael Kelly, who had almost attacked the landlady, had become abusive after a melee, and was asked to leave.

Kelly, 30, of Alder Street, Burnley, was conditionally discharged for 12 months and must pay £250 compensation and £55 costs. He admitted damage.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the defendant was a regular at the Dugdale Arms in Burnley, where the offence occurred and was in the football team. He was in the pub near closing time, but did not appear drunk.

At 11.20pm, there was an incident in the pool room, where other regulars were restraining Kelly from going towards another customer.

The other man was ushered away and the defendant was asked to leave. He became abusive and was told he would not be welcome in the pub again. As the licensee's wife went to grab his arms, Kelly grabbed hold of her blouse and pulled back his arm as if he was about to punch her. Mr Robinson said in the entrance way, Kelly lashed out and broke a pane of glass in the door. The momentum carried him through and fell through the smashed window, cutting his head and stomach.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Kelly had been banned from the pub but had wanted to return and pay compensation for the window. It was thought better that he did not return.

When he realised it was the landlady who had hold of him, he immediately let go of her and did not pursue any assault.

The defendant suffered a serious cut to his head and although he did not intend to break the glass, he would accept his actions were reckless. He readily accepted the "red mist," descended and he shouldn't have behaved in that way.