A TEENAGE dad who attacked a man, knocking out two front teeth and leaving him cut and bruised, has gone to custody for four months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Kevin Beardsworth, 19, headbutted his victim, Lee Astin, three times, punched him twice in the head after he fell to the ground and then stood back and kicked him. Mr Astin, said to have called the defendant's girlfriend and sister 'slappers,' will now have to wear dentures for the rest of his life.

Sentencing Beardsworth, Assistant Recorder J Corless said the attack was largely unprovoked and the defendant had drunk to excess.

The defendant, of High Street, Rishton, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates. He was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution. He had no previous convictions.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said the victim had been out with friends for the night in Accrington, in January, and at about 11.45pm, decided to go home after getting something to eat. As he was walking along St James Street he saw the defendant arguing with his girlfriend, who appeared to be upset. Mr Astin shouted to calm down, at which point Beardsworth went across to him, assaulted him -- and was captured on CCTV.

The defendant was arrested there and then, was extremely drunk and couldn't be interviewed until the next day. He told police he had no recollection of any incident and certainly could not think of any reason why he should attack anybody. He put it down to a lot of lager.

Keith Harrison, defending, said the defendant had gone out to a pub with his sister and girlfriend. A friend of the victim had tried to become familiar with the defendant's sister, but she would have none of it.

The friend then made an obscene remark about the sister and the defendant was very upset. The victim thought the remark was very funny.

Beardsworth then foolishly went over to Mr Astin in the street and asked him about the remark, to which the victim allegedly said the sister deserved it, as she and the defendant's girlfriend were slappers.

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