Burnley FC promotion celebrations were marred for one man when he was viciously attacked for no apparent reason in the town centre.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told Sean Wilkinson punched the victim at least 12 times to the head during the unprovoked attack on May 10, two days after the Clarets' last game of the season.

Burnley FC had won the EFL Championship title two weeks earlier at the home of arch rivals Blackburn Rovers, and finished the season with a whopping 101 points.

Wilkinson, 37, of Cobden Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Matthew Kenyon.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and pay £250 compensation.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said it should have been a happy occasion for the town and the supporters of Burnley FC celebrating the success of their team.

"Your behaviour blighted that," said District Judge Preston.

"I can only describe it as loutish and brutal and it is made worse by the fact you were drunk and say you can't remember the incident.

"You simply approached this individual and punched him repeatedly to the face for no reason whatsoever."

District Judge Preston said the offence crossed the custodial threshold, but she was persuaded to suspend it because he had not been in trouble for 10 years and is a single parent.

Jackie Partington, prosecuting, said the incident occurred in the early hours outside the Big Window pub in Manchester Road.

The aggrieved and a friend were sitting on a step waiting for a taxi when Wilkinson approached.

There was a brief conversation before Wilkinson started punching the other man.

"He hit him around 12 times before walking off," said Miss Partington.

She said the victim had a large lump to the back of the head and his face was swollen and bruised.

"He was taken to hospital for a CT scan because of the injuries to his head." said Miss Partington.

Mark Williams, mitigating, said his client conceded the victim was a wholly innocent party.

"There was no provocation and he can't explain why he did what he did," said Mr Williams.

"It has been 10 years since he was in trouble and he will endeavour to ensure it doesn't happen again."