A PEACEMAKER who was left needing facial surgery after trying to break up an argument, has vowed never to step into a violent incident again.

Lee Steer is recovering from a broken cheekbone and a fractured eye socket in two places, after being attacked while trying to stand up for a female friend locked in an disagreement with a male stranger.

Despite the 31-year-old’s attempts to calm the situation, he ended up being punched in the face and knocked unconscious outside Tasty Pizza takeaway on Blakey Moor, Blackburn around 12.40am.

Mr Steer, of Longridge Heath, Reedley said: “I’d had a good night out catching up with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. I had been drinking but that doesn’t excuse what happened.

“My friend had been chatting to two girls in the takeaway, when suddenly a guy who pulled up in a car outside ran in and punched him in the face.

“A female friend then tried to stop him hitting out again by pushing him outside. I then went outside to help her and I was punched in the face and knocked unconscious.”

After being punched un-conscious, in a incident that mirrors the death of Padiham Ladies’ football coach Adam Rogers in 2009, Mr Steer was helped into a taxi by friends.

Mr Steer, spent the night on a friend’s sofa before heading home in pain.

He said: “I didn’t go to the hospital straightaway because I just didn’t feel well enough. I went home and got into bed. It wasn’t until three days later that I felt strong enough to go to hospital.

“This whole incident has really shook me up. I will never get involved in anything like this again, it just isn’t worth it. In future I’ll just ring the police. My brother was friends with Adam Rogers, and thinking about what could have hap-pened is terrifying.”

Mr Steer eventually under-went surgery at the Royal Blackburn Hospital where a metal plate and pins were inserted into his face.

Dave Rogers, Adam’s father said: “Again this is another example of a drunk person taking a swing at an innocent party. Intervening with some-one who is very drunk is dangerous and I am really sorry this guy got hurt. People need to be aware that their actions have consequences.”

Detectives are appealing for witnesses of the December 2 incident in the Blakey Moor area of Blackburn to come forward.