A PARTY-GOER knocked a woman unconscious and broke her jaw before threatening to stab people.

Thomas Smith, 20, was just 17 when he went to Yvonne McCrudden’s house party on April 15, 2019.

Sessions House in Preston heard how Smith was drinking and taking ketamine and cocaine at the party he attended with a friend before he went to the kitchen.

Prosecutor Anna Bond said at about 2am, a fight broke out in the living room, leading to Smith making his way into the room to ask who was fighting, saying “come on then”.

Miss McCrudden’s sister took hold of Smith and pushed him towards the doorway in a bid to get him out of the home.

But Smith, of Sandon Street, Blackburn, then punched Miss McCrudden in the face which led her to falling over the sofa, with witnesses saying she was unconscious for several minutes.

Smith then punched her several times more before punching Jodie Mills and then ‘exchanging blows’ with Charlie Thomson before saying he was ‘going to stab people before they left’.

Miss McCrudden was taken to hospital where she had emergency surgery on her jaw which had two breaks, leaving her needing plates.

She is expected to make a full recovery but will be left with scars.

Miss Mills and Miss Thomson also attended Royal Blackburn Hospital, with Miss Thomson being given painkillers for the injuries sustained by punches to the face, neck, knee and shoulder.

Defending, Robert Kearney said that Smith was a youth at the time and should be sentenced in that way.

He also argued that Smith had changed since then and was living in a stable home, was in a relationship and had cut down on drug use, but still had a cannabis issue.

He said: “This defendant's temper has certainly got the better of him. This defendant has grown up a bit.”

Judge Sara Dodd said that Smith’s actions were of ‘great concern’ but that the fact he had no convictions since this incident led her to suspend his sentence.

Sentencing Smith, Judge Dodd said: “Your temper under drinking and the influence of drugs gets the better of you and you lash ouy in a very serious way causing, on this occasion very serious harm.”

Smith, who was charged with assault and affray, was sentenced to 22 months, suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete 20 rehabilitation days, 200 hours of unpaid work, a drugs treatment programme and a 'Thinking Skills' course.