A 22-year-old man left in charge of his parents’ pub assaulted three of the regulars in one night.

Blackburn magistrates heard Harley Clayton Whitehead dragged one female drinker out of Hemingway’s, in Longridge, because she asked him to play a record from the film Grease.

And a man stood talking to his sister was asked, “What are you doing?” before he was punched from behind.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Whitehead had experience of working in pubs but no formal training.

“The way he dealt with people on this day clearly left something to be desired,” said Mr Blacklidge.

“Not surprisingly he is not pursuing a career in the licensed trade and has got himself a job as a metal fabricator.”

Whitehead, 22, of Staffa Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Anne Lewis, Martin Cookson and Jordan Young.

He was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Miss Lewis and Mr Cookson and £150 to Mr Young and £500 costs.

He was also made subject to community supervision for 12 months with attendance at an anger management programme.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said as well as being in charge of Hemingway’s pub in Berry Lane, Whitehead was the DJ for the night. He was playing one kind of music and Miss Lewis asked him to play something else.

“His reaction was abusive and aggressive,” said Miss Allan.

“She couldn’t believe his reaction.”