TWO dads are behind bars for a "ferocious and barbaric" night of violence in Rawtenstall which left three men injured.

Burnley Crown Court heard how father-of-two Lee Cassell, 31, started the trouble in an "alcohol-fuelled rage" at the Queen's pub and in the mayhem that followed attacked three people, smashing one victim's nose as he tried to stop the onslaught.

Plasterer Dayna Nuttall, 28, who has an eight-week-old daughter, then joined in.

Cassell, a former soldier who had been drinking too much after the breakdown of his marriage, admitted three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm on April 8.

The defendant, of Bonfire Hill Street, Crawshawbooth, was jailed for 43 weeks.

Nuttall, of Manchester Road, Haslingden, got 39 weeks.

The defendant, who has a long record for violence, pleaded guilty to affray.

Judge Norman Wright told the duo: "People go out and people like to socialise by having a few drinks and they like to relax.

"They don't expect to be attacked and people don't expect this sort of violence to be perpetr-ated on other people on their night out."

For Cassell, Michael Lavery said he was working full-time and there had been no repetition.

Mark Kellett, defending Nuttall, said he had got involved out of misplaced loyalty.