A 27-YEAR-OLD man who took up the cause of a blind man who was struggling to pass a delivery wagon ended up assaulting the driver.

Blackburn magistrates heard Michael John Slater and the driver had a row which ended with Slater head-butting the man.

Slater, 27, of Fowler Height Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Fabian Hawthorne.

He was made subject to community supervision for two years and ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and pay £95 compensation.

Lynne Sayers, prosecuting, said the driver was delivering in Mill Hill and had to park partly on the pavement. “He was completely unaware of a blind man struggling to get past,” said Mrs Sayers.

“He was approached by the defendant and another man, who were both drunk, who hurled abuse.”

Angela Rossi, defending, said the way the van had been parked left a gap which the guide dog was reluctant to go through.

“My client says he and his friend actually helped this gentleman through the gap,” said Miss Rossi.