A YOUNG man out for the night in Accrington town centre was knocked unconscious by a single punch as he went to enter a pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard Adam Pinder claimed there was no reason ‘at all’ for the assault by Anthony Bradsahaw.

But Aftab Bakhat, defending, said CCTV footage of the incident showed Bradshaw in a heated argument with his girlfriend.

“The aggrieved walked over and tried to interject,” said Mr Bakhat. “He was told to go away but persisted. My client accepts that at that point he struck him and walked away.

“He wasn’t aware of what happened next or the level of the injuries.”

Bradshaw, 27, of Lonsdale Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Pinder causing him actual bodily harm. He was sent to Burnley Crown Court for sentence.

Claire Grant, prosecuting, said as Mr Pinder and his friend approached Bailey’s Bar he was punched in the face by Bradshaw for no reason at all.

“All he remembers is waking up on the floor with his friend trying to assist him,” said Mrs Grant “He was taken to hospital with a fractured nose and eventually had to undergo surgery to have it re-set. He was working on a temporary contract at the time and wasn’t allowed to have time off. As a result he lost his job.”