A man who reacted to anti-social behaviour by youths by swinging out with a hammer has been jailed for a year.

John Ainsworth, 29, of Baker Street, Blackburn, fractured a teenager's skull by striking him with the weapon.

Preston Crown Court heard claims that he reacted with violence after his pregnant partner, who had suffered two miscarriages in the past, had been verbally abused in the street after asking some youths to move on.

Ainsworth was sentenced for one offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm and another of actual bodily harm assault.

The court was also told that residents had earlier made complaints to the police about a number of anti social incidents. The offences were committed in the Ambleside Close area where his partner lived.

Roger Baldwin, prosecuting, said she asked a group to move on in July last year, but was met with shouting and general abuse.

The defendant wanted to challenge the group.

He said one - Stephen Parsonage - had armed himself with a piece of wood so Ainsworth got a hammer and was seen ranting and raving.

He ran and hit Stephen Parsonage on the right shoulder or back. He also hit Lee O'Brien who was then aged 17.

Lee O'Brien was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with a scalp wound.

He had extensive bruising and a depressed skull fracture.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Ainsworth's behaviour was out of character.

He said he had been at his partner's home when various young men were drinking and making a lot of noise in the street.