A MAN assaulted a colleague for no reason when they went for a drink after work.

Blackburn magistrates heard Darrell Mark Altimas then punched the barman when he asked him to leave.

Altimas, 51, now of Cleveland Street, Colne, but formerly of Welbeck Avenue, Blackburn, admitted assaulting Michael Lewis and Joel Hardy on July 27.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Lewis and £50 to Joel Hardy.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Mr Lewis and a friend had gone for a drink in the Bridge, Burnley. after work where they were joined by Altimas, who worked at the same firm.

Altimas was drinking strong Belgian lager and after three pints became argumentative.

“All of a sudden he struck the aggrieved to the side of the face,” said Mrs Mann. “He was shocked and taken aback because there was no build-up.”

A friend intervened and pushed Altimas away and the barman told him he had to leave.

“His response was to punch the barman,” said Mrs Mann.

“A large man who was in the pub came over and restrained the defendant.”

Mrs Mann said Altimas “half apologised” when he saw Mr Lewis at work the following Monday.

“He even offered to let him punch him to even things up,” said Mrs Mann.