A MAN dancing in a Darwen nightclub was knocked unconscious and remembered nothing until he woke up in hospital.

Blackburn magistrates heard Daniel Watson suffered a fractured eye socket and a fractured cheek bone as a result of the attack by Tony Johnstone.

Johnstone, 29, of Haslingden Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Watson causing him actual bodily harm.

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He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months made subject to 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and a curfew between 9pm and 6am for 10 weeks. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mr Watson had no recollection of the incident or what lead up to it.

“He believes that is because of the head injury and the fact he was unconscious,” said Miss Allan. “He has since been told Johnstone came at him from out of nowhere and assaulted him and he was knocked out cold. The next thing he knew was waking up in hospital and he had no idea why he was there or how he had got there.”

She said Mr Watson could not remember speaking to the defendant.

Peter King, defending, said his client claimed there had been an argument between the two men in the toilet area. It continued on the dance floor and he pushed the other man over,” said Mr King. “There is no direct evidence that he punched the victim and he believes the injuries were caused when Mr Watson fell to the floor. He regrets what happened and certainly did not intend the injuries that were caused.”