AN APPRENTICE mechanical engineer who finished a drunken argument by punching a man and landing further blows while he was on the ground has been spared jail.

Burnley Crown Court heard how 21-year-old Matthew Bott had been out drinking with his girlfriend at a Wetherspoons in Burnley on July 2 when an argument with her old school friend Drew Goldie started outside the pub.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker told the court a doorman described how Mr Goldie was ‘very drunk’, ‘swaying from side to side’ and very aggressive.

Mr Parker said: “Mr Goldie shoved Mr Bott quite forcefully in the chest. In response to that Mr Bott hit Mr Goldie. It’s that punch the prosecution says was in self-defence.”

Mr Parker told the court how Mr Goldie crossed over the road but carried on shouting expletives at Bott.

As Bott crossed the road to continue the altercation a passing police officer started beeping his car horn as a warning, the court was told.

Mr Parker said: “He ran across the road, punched him to the face, causing the victim to fall to the floor. At that point he has carried on hitting him several times to the face. One of the witnesses said he was punching him again and again.”

The court heard how Mr Goldie was taken to hospital with a cut on his nose and also suffered bruising on his eye and face.

Mr Parker added: “Mr Goldie described how a number of years previously one of his friends had died after a single punch and falling to the floor.

“He appreciates assaults of this nature can end in far more serious circumstances that what had happened here.”

Bott, formerly of Healy Mount in Burnley, admitted to one charge of causing actual bodily harm. The prosecution offered no evidence on a second ABH charge.

Defending, Richard Taylor said his client had shown genuine remorse for what had happened.

Mr Taylor said: “Both the aggrieved and the defendant were very drunk. They both clearly behaved in a way they wouldn’t normally have done.”

Bott was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, ordered to pay Mr Goldie £600 compensation and undertake 200 hours’ unpaid work.