AFTER seeing his lifelong friend knocked unconscious in Bury town centre, airport electrician Alexander Skelly got involved in a running battle, a court heard.

Described as a model citizen and a man of previous good character, Skelly, of Frankton Road, Whitefield, admitted a charge of affray when he appeared before Bury magistrates.

The 22-year-old admitted he had lost his good character and had put his job on the line for his reaction to an incident involving his friend.

After viewing a video of the events that evening and after reading reports, the bench made Skelly the subject of community punishment order for 100 hours with £50 costs to pay.

Mr Khalid Qureshi, prosecuting, said it was acknowledged that Skelly was not the instigator of the events which took place around The Rock and Parsons Lane.

It was another man who, during an exchange of words, set upon Skelly's friend, knocking him unconscious.

Skelly then got involved with fists flailing. Mr Qureshi said the aggravation continued over a considerable period and distance as one group followed another and punches continued to be exchanged.

It was all caught on camera. The video had shown Skelly initially as the peacemaker between the two groups but when his friend was punched and kicked unconscious, the defendant was incensed and went to challenge the individual he believed responsible.

Skelly, a man with good academic achievements, said he had travelled up from London to celebrate the 21st birthday of his friend. He had consumed some drink but was in a celebratory mood when his party set off for a nightclub.