BURNLEY has a major drink problem which is fuelling outbreaks of violence, claims a Crown Court judge.

Judge Raymond Bennett, the town's Honorary Recorder, spoke out after sentencing two teenagers involved in a late night town centre fracas.

One defendant, Ryan Grimshaw, 18, wept as he was sent to custody for nine months for kicking a youth in the head after he was pushed to the ground. His barrister had told Burnley Crown Court that the only explanation he could put forward was alcohol.

The judge, who had watched a CCTV video of the attack near the subway in Centenary Way, said Grimshaw's parents, who were in the public gallery, must have been appalled to see what he had done.

To kick a man when he was down was a dreadful thing to do -- and all those who had been involved in law for a number of years had dealt with cases where victims had died after sustaining a kick to the head. The judge stressed the message must go out that custody would follow unlawful kicks to the head.

Judge Bennett said: "There is far too much violence in towns like Burnley and in particular, late at night. Many people say we have a drugs problem, but there is also a drink problem.

"Nearly every case heard in these courts concerning violence late at night, and even during the day, is fuelled by alcohol." He told Grimshaw's accomplice, Kevin Preston, 17, who had punched the complainant once beforehand and was not involved in the violence after he had gone to the ground, that if he had been involved in the kicking, he too would have gone to detention.

Grimshaw, of Hinton Street, Burnley, was sent to a young offenders' institution after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm.

Preston, of Duke Street, Burnley, was sentenced to 100 hours' community service after pleading guilty to affray.

Robert Crawford, for Grimshaw, said the defendant came from a decent background and had never been convicted of offences of violence or public disorder. The only explanation he could offer for getting involved was alcohol. He had been drinking to excess.

Grimshaw had not been involved in the initial confrontation between his co-defendant and the aggrieved, but the defendant had thought the victim was going to attack Preston.

Mr Crawford added the complainant had been able to get up and walk away after the incident and his injuries were minor scrapes and bruises.

Anthony Cross, defending Preston, said the defendant wanted to make it plain he was the person who started the trouble. Words had earlier been exchanged between their group and another group and Preston's recollection was that the complainant was part of that group.

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