A MAN was knocked unconscious in a single-punch attack in a Nelson pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard Duane Lee Sims attacked the other man because he was having a row with his brother.

Sims, 33, of Rowland Avenue, Nelson, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 days’ Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim, £85 costs and £128 victim surcharge.

Nicole Bridgman, prosecuting, said the victim, Sims and the third party had a drink together in the Lord Nelson on Manchester Road at about 5pm.

CCTV showed a dispute between the other two and shortly after Sims re-entered the picture and was seen to throw a punch.

“That caused the victim to fall to the floor,” said Ms Bridgman. “He was unconscious for a few seconds and came round covered in blood from a cut on his lip which required stitching.”

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said the second man involved in the first altercation was the defendant’s brother.

“He became involved because of misguided loyalty to his brother,” said Mr Taylor. “There had been no problems between any of them earlier on. He accepts he misread the situation because of the amount he had to drink.”

Mr Taylor said his client had not deliberately set out to cause the injury.

“He has to accept that if you hit someone this is the kind of thing that can happen,” he said.