A MAN lost his cool after a night out drinking with friends which ended in after hours at a Burnley pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard Wayne Birtwell assaulted his partner and the landlady of the Cross Keys during the incident which was sparked by a man in boxer shorts behaving inappropriately.

Birtwell, 35, of Slaidburn Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Amie Williams and Amy Lyth and damaging a pillar in the Cross Keys belonging to Miss Lyth. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £300 compensation to Miss Lyth, £90 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the defendant and his partner had been out with friend, including Miss Lyth. They ended up back at the Cross Keys where Miss Lyth was the landlady.

Mrs White said a resident wearing only boxer shorts had been behaving inappropriately and Birtwell wasn't happy with his partner's involvement.

"They were arguing at the bar and without warning he slapped her across the face," said Mrs White.

"She left the pub and sat on a nearby bench and was sitting there when she got a call from Miss Lyth asking her to return so they could make sure she got home safely."

When she went back Miss Williams could hear the defendant shouting at people and he seemed to be directing his anger at the landlady.

He then grabbed Miss Williams by the throat and then the arm before other customers pulled him away.

She left the pub again accompanied by friend who made sure she got safely into a taxi.

At some stage Birtwell pushed Miss Lyth and punched a pillar damaging the plasterwork.

The court was told Birtwell blamed his behaviour on mixing beer with cocktails which he didn't normally do.