A MAN convicted of a deliberate attack with a broken bottle has been remanded in custody to await sentence.

Preston Crown Court was told that James Keller jabbed his victim in the throat with an improvised weapon.

But he told the jury he could not remember anything apart from being at another person's home earlier on the day of the incident.

The 33-year-old of Stirling Drive, Blackburn, denied a charge of wounding with intent upon Peter Doward on July 18 this year.

Mr Doward returned home to Kinross Close, Blackburn, and watched some videos. He was joined by someone he knew called Barbara Milligan.

Fraser Livesey, prosecuting, said that around 8pm Keller called at the address. Mr Doward knew him as a casual acquaintance.

The defendant, who had a bottle of cider with him, wanted to go in for half-an-hour. He stayed and about an hour-and-a-half later Mr Doward decided he wanted to be alone.

The prosecution said an assault took place for no apparent reason, other than the dispute over whether Keller should leave. The defendant was said to have smashed a glass bottle against a wall, leaving him holding part of the bottle with a jagged end.

Mr Livesey said: "He pushed it into Mr Doward's throat, causing a wound. Mr Doward was taken to hospital with a three centimetre-long cut, going quite deep into the neck."

The defendant told the he was an alcoholic at the time and drank a bottle of sherry first thing that morning to settle his stomach. "I don't remember much after about two o'clock," he said.

Keller was remanded in custody. The case was adjourned to November 21.