A DIMINUTIVE barmaid was repeatedly attacked by a drunken male who was arguing with two of her regulars.

Blackburn magistrates heard the member of staff at the Fernhurst in Ewood, who was just 4ft 11ins tall, was barged to the ground by Shaun Colin Wareing after she put herself between him and her customers.

He then hit her on the jaw before throwing her to the ground four times.

At one stage she was lying in the middle of the road.

When he was arrested by the police shortly after, Wareing lashed out at them and had to be pepper sprayed and handcuffed before they could gain compliance.

Wareing, 31, of West View, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to assaulting Emily Hazlett, resisting a police officer and being drunk and disorderly.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Jane Rapin, prosecuting, said around 9pm Miss Hazlett heard a lot of shouting coming from outside the pub and went outside to investigate.

She saw Wareing arguing with two young lads who were regulars in the pub.

"When she asked him to move away he turned and charged at the lads," said Ms Rapin.

"She was in the way and was knocked to the floor."

Ms Rapin said Wareing continued to be verbally abusive and was told he was banned from the pub.

He then pushed Miss Hazlett with both hands and his left hand made contact with her jaw.

"He then grabbed her again and threw her to the floor," said Ms Rapin.

"Every time she got up he threw her down again. She was thrown to the floor four times."

Wareing, who was not represented, said there was no mitigation.

"I don't remember anything and all I know is what I have been shown on CCTV," he said.

"It was out of character for me."