A ROW over a single cigarette ended with a 61-year-old man with a heart condition being punched to the floor.

Blackburn magistrates heard his assailant, Andrew Murphy, ran across the road before punching James Baxendale.

Murphy, 25, of the Salvation Army Hostel, Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault and was jailed for 120 days.

The court heard that as a result of the assault Murphy had already been recalled on prison licence to serve the remainder of a two-year sentence for robbery. He is not due to be released until October 2008.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said Mr Baxendale had gone to ZY Bar on Market Street Lane at about 5pm on a Sunday to meet friends. He went outside to have a cigarette and was approached by Murphy who asked him for a smoke.

"Mr Baxendale told him he only had one which he removed and then threw the packet away," said Mr Harrison.

"Murphy grabbed the cigarette, Mr Baxendale grabbed it back and Murphy fell over.

"Staff and customers came out and Murphy was told to leave."

Moments later Murphy ran back across the road and punched Mr Baxendale on the head.

Andrew Nottingham, defending, said Murphy had been released on licence five weeks before the incident.

He said Murphy claimed he had been assaulted by Mr Baxendale during the tussle over the cigarette.

"Had the blow been struck then it would have been a case of self-defence but he concedes that by going away and coming back that is not open to him," added Mr Nottingham.