A FATHER-OF-FOUR who went to a wine bar armed with a baseball bat was intent on "seeking retribution," on the door staff.

Burnley Magistrates heard how landscape gardener Simon Sharples, 37, had earlier been punched to the ground unconscious and "befuddled in drink" went home to get the weapon.

He had since had to face the wrath of his angry partner and the court heard it may be some time before he is fully forgiven.

Sharples, said to be a hard working family man who had too much to drink after Burnley's defeat in the FA Cup quarter final, was told by magistrates he had made a blatant attempt to arm himself.

Had he used it, he could have caused serious injury and ended up facing a long jail term.

The defendant, of Thirlmere Avenue, Padiham, admitted having an offensive weapon. He was given 60 hours community punishment and was told to pay £65 costs.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, told the court police attended the Empire wine bar in Padiham, after door staff complained they had been threatened.

While officers were in the area, they saw the defendant walking towards the bar and he appeared to have something under his shirt.

Sharples seemed drunk and when questioned claimed he had been assaulted by a member of the door staff. He did not make a formal complaint and did not have any injuries. The defendant had gone to the bar to seek retribution.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said Sharples had gone to watch the match in the pub and had been persuaded to stay out the rest of the evening after it finished.

He perhaps had too much to drink and was very drunk when arrested. A group of men he had been with had gone to the wine bar. There had been an exchange, not including the defendant at the front door, but Sharples was hit in the jaw and knocked to the floor unconscious.

The defendant went home and accepted he had been going back to the wine bar for no good reason.

Mr Bradshaw added Sharples, who had kept out of trouble for 16 years, felt he was too old to be involved in such behaviour. He had spent a night in the cells.

He was a hard working family man and would suffer acute embarrassment over the issue.

The solicitor added Sharples' partner had been extremely unimpressed by his behaviour and it may be some time before he was forgiven. He had only himself to blame.