A man screamed to another that he was a "grass" as he punched him repeatedly.

Blackburn magistrates heard Bryan Lee Rothwell had seen red when he came across the other man, who he believed had called the police to report a disturbance.

Rothwell, 37, of Field Street, Padiham, pleaded guilty to assault.

Antonia Walters, prosecuting, said the victim had walked a friend to her sister's house because of an incident earlier in the day involving Rothwell.

They had gone into the house when Rothwell forced his way in and began punching the victim.

As he struck the other man Rothwell shouted; "You're a grass, why did you call
the police."

"The victim said he was punched about 10 times," said Miss Chaudhry.

Peter King, defending, said his client had a friend who lived in the flat above
the aggrieved and one of their shared interests was drinking.

"There have been incidents when the police have attended, sometimes called by
the victim," said Mr King.

"My client was intoxicated and when he saw the other man on this night it was like a red rag to a bull."

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a 90 days Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement.

He was ordered to pay £125 compensation, £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.