TWO louts have been jailed for their parts in a violent restaurant row that left an innocent diner with a smashed nose.

Dennis Fent, 24, and Scott Phillips, 16, along with accomplice Karl Farrell, 19, and another man, had descended as a pack on the Ashiana Restaurant, in Earby, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Victim Robert Charnbury was allegedly struck by the fourth man as he went to help staff - and his friend Gary Moore was repeatedly hit to the floor by Fent and Phillips.

The court heard Farrell also threw a punch at Mr Charnbury, which missed and hit his girlfriend Jayne Garrity.

Fent, who earlier attacked his girlfriend - his ex-wife's daughter -was given 18 months in prison, while Phillips got six months detention and training order and Farrell received 240 hours community punishment.

Sentencing, Judge Christopher Cornwall slammed the trio's behaviour as bullying, arrogant and anti-social. He added that Fent, who had since tried to take his own life, had terrified his girlfriend Joanne Hines, 18.

He had been controlling, put a knife to her throat, forcibly undressed her and held her head under water - yet had passed it off as "just an argument."

Fent, of Pritchard Street, Burnley; Phillips, of Kenilworth Drive, and Farrell, of Goodall Close, both Earby, all admitted affray. Fent also pleaded guilty to threats to kill and common assault last November.

Roger Green, prosecuting, told the court a gang barged into the Victoria Road restaurant as it was closing in the early hours of December 27.

But waiters refused to serve them and the gang began to push them around.

Mr Charnbury and Mr Moore, who were with their partners, got up from their seats.

He said an outburst of violence followed with Fent and Farrell squaring up to Mr Charnbury.

The victim was then said to have been punched by another member of the gang.

Mr Charnbury hit the floor with his nose bleeding. It was later found to be broken. Mr Green said Mr Moore was hit by Fent and Phillips but managed to get back to his feet.

His wife Glenda went to his aid and struck Fent several times to get him off her husband.

Mrs Moore phoned police and as the group left the fourth youth was said to have banged on the window and shouted: "I will torch this place."

Mark Stuart, defending Farrell, who works at Silentnight, in Barnoldswick, said the defendant accepted the incident was disgraceful.

Richard English, defending Fent, said he had found it difficult to come to terms with the fact he behaved so badly.

Philip Holden, defending, said he had been hanging around with older people.