A MAN who attacked a total stranger in a Darwen pub and then assaulted a police officer had no recollection of either incident.

Blackburn magistrates heard Steven Holden had initially followed a female into the Anchor pub and she had been "terrified" he was going to assault her.

Holden, 27, of Wensley Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ricky McGrew and assaulting an emergency worker. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Ruby McKeague, prosecuting, said Holden had followed the female into the pub and threatened to "back hand" her.

"She was trying to ignore him when without reason he swung round and hit Mr McGrew," said Mrs Mckeague. "The landlord intervened to prevent him punching Mr McGrew again."

Mrs Mckeague said officers who arrived and arrested Holden described him as a "difficult prisoner."

"He became agitated and threatened to spit at the officers when he got out of the van," said Mrs Mckeague. "At the police station he threw his head backwards catching an officer on the nose."

When he was interviewed Holden said he couldn't remember the assault in the pub but accepted his guilt after being shown CCTV footage of the incident.

He said he had no recollection of being taken to the police station or being there until he woke up.