A MAN walking home from a pub birthday party suffered a triple fracture of his jaw after being attacked by a friend'.

Blackburn magistrates heard the incident started as "horseplay" between the two men but developed into a fight.

Postman, Robert Jan Holden accepted that he had gone beyond self-defence by repeatedly punching Paul Elwood as they made their way home from the Pack Horse in Belthorn.

But defence solicitor Rachel Adamson said it was significant that punches had been thrown by both men and her client had also suffered injuries.

Holden, 27, of James Street, Belthorn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Paul Ellwood causing him grievous bodily harm. He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said both men had been at a party in the Pack Horse which was a short distance from where they live. Mr Elwood left to walk home along a path at the rear of the pub and as he reached a children's playground when he felt someone jump on his back.

"He swung round and saw Holden," said Mrs White. "He continued walking but says he can remember nothing from that point until he saw the defendant's mother coming out of her house.

Mrs White said a neighbour, disturbed by noise, looked out of his bedroom window to see both men facing each other with Mrs Holden in-between them. Mr Ellwood had his fists clenched. The witness described how Holden ran towards the other man and punched him, knocking him to the floor.

"The witness went to help Mr Ellwood and saw a lot of blood on his face and the floor around him," she added..

Mr Ellwood suffered a triple fracture of his jaw which required two operations and a cut to the back of his head.

When interviewed Holden said the incident had started as a "bit of fun" but had got out of hand.

Miss Adamson said the two men were very good friends.

"There had been no animosity between them and this all came about because my client decided to act the goat," said Miss Adamson. She said that after Holden had approached Mr Ellwood from behind the other man had punched him. There had then been some discussion which lead to angry words and then blows being exchanged.

"My client says Mr Ellwood was raging at him over what had happened and pushed his mother out of the way as she tried to separate them," said Miss Adamson. "Both men ended up on the floor and it was then the injuries were caused to Mr Ellwood."