A MAN had shards of aluminium embedded in his hand after he was the victim of a firework prank which went horrifically wrong.

Blackburn magistrates heard a firework was placed in a beer can the man was holding and it exploded before he could throw it away.

The court was told that Jack Drake experienced 'excruciating' pain and was deafened by the blast.

He staggered back into the pub with blood pouring from his hand before being taken to hospital.

Liam James Flynn, 27, of Dominica Avenue, Lower Darwen, pleaded guilty to discharging a firework within 50ft of Branch Road as a result of which a user of the highway was injured.

He was fined £250 with £100 costs and ordered to pay £750 compensation to Mr Drake.

Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said the incident took place outside the Uncle Jack pub on October 22.

Mr Drake had stepped outside the pub where Flynn dropped a can in a puddle.

Mr Flynn picked it up and asked if he should put it in the bin.

“While Mr Drake was still holding the can the defendant approached, got hold of his right hand and stuffed a firework into the can,” said Mr Ainge.

“The defendant turned away and shouted at Mr Drake to 'throw it' but before he could it exploded.”

Mr Ainge said there was a loud explosion and Mr Drake felt immense pain.

He needed stitches to two fingers and had numerous lacerations and burns.

Doctors initially had difficulty assessing the extent of the damage because of the pain Mr Drake was in.

He was given gas and air and morphine to alleviate it.

Flynn, who had no previous convictions, said he shouldn’t have put the firework in the can.

“I’m really sorry for what I did, it was just childish and stupid,” he said.

“I just hope the lad’s alright. Nothing like this will ever happen again."