A YOUNG drinker was set upon by a hoodie-led gang of four after a set-up' in Nelson town centre, a court heard.

Victim Jamie Lindgard had been out drinking at The Bull pub in Scotland Road with three young men, including childhood friend Craig Harry Johnston, 20, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Deborah Manley said the trio had left the pub and had a takeaway meal. Mr Lindgard had withdrawn £50 from a cash machine.

While walking along Railway Street, suddenly Mr Lindgard was confronted by a young man wearing a hoodie, who began punching him.

The other three, including Johnston, joined in with the attack and the victim fell to the floor, she said.

He heard a voice say "get the £50 he took from the cash machine" and, fearing further violence, he was forced to hand over the money.

After this the quartet left the scene, said Miss Manley, and Mr Lindgard also noticed that he had had a gold chain ripped from his neck.

He was taken to Burnley General Hospital for treatment, where it was discovered he had suffered bruising and a chipped tooth.

The man in the hoodie is alleged to have been Duane Kyle Smith, 21, who lives on Railway Street, near the scene of the attack.

Police later arrested Johnston and he accepted that he had been out drinking with Mr Lindgard - but denied being involved in setting him up.' Johnston denied attacking Mr Lindgard, hearing any comment about the £50 he was carrying, and also told police that he did not have Smith's mobile number, the court heard.

Later Smith was detained and initially he made no comment in interview when questioned about the matter.

Miss Manley said that in April 2007 Mr Lindgard picked out Smith's picture from an identification parade Quizzed again about the incident, Smith issued a statement through his solicitor, which said that he had received a phone call from Johnston on the night in question, to "sort out" a member of his party who was causing trouble.

He walked out of his home and saw the group approaching him. He said Johnston indicated which man he should assault and admitted he had attacked Mr Lindgard.

But Smith was adamant that he had not taken part in any robbery, and also denied making any comments about taking £50 from the victim.

Johnston, of Larch Street, Nelson, and Smith. both deny robbery. The trial continues.