TWO drink-fuelled louts who attacked two men as they walked home from their first night out in Bacup have kept their freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how father-of-two Peter Lewis, 27, who has a record for assault, started the violence on victims Tristan Reuter and Darryl Witherington in the early hours of January 21.

Warehouseman James Regan then joined in and both victims were kicked and punched to the ground.

Lewis, of Hammond Avenue, Stacksteads, and Regan, 26,of Woodland Terrace, Bacup, had both been convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm, after a recent trial.

Lewis, a self-employed joiner, was given nine months in jail, suspended for two years, with the CALM programme and 180 hours unpaid work.

His co-defendant was given a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work.