A 37-YEAR-OLD man who punched a pub landlord knocking out two of his teeth has been ordered to pay his victim £1,500 compensation.

Blackburn magistrates heard Robert John Yates lashed out as he was being ejected from the Cross Axes pub in Great Harwood.

Yates, 37, of Princess Street, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to assaulting John Mainland causing him actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and pay £1,500 compensation. He was excluded from the Cross Axes for 12 months.

The court heard Yates went into the pub with a friend who was told to leave because he was already barred. Yates stayed but was making a nuisance of himself and when he was also asked to leave responded; "make me."

As the landlord was trying to push him out of the door Yates punched him in the face.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client believed he had acted in self-defence but realised very quickly his behaviour was inappropriate.

"He went back to the pub and apologised that night," said Mr Price.