A woman was left with a fractured eye socket after her friend launched an ornamental candlestick holder at her face when he “lost the plot”.

Luke Hunton, of Major Street, Crawshawbooth, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm upon his friend Donna Mountain on June 19, 2021, but walked free from court.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Hunton and Miss Mountain had known each other as she had been in a relationship with his brother, and on the day in question they had been taking a car journey together along with the defendant’s young son.

The court was told Miss Mountain swore in the car, which triggered Hunton, and he shouted at her, “don’t swear in front of my son, don’t disrespect me”.

Miss Mountain said she was then dragged out of the car into a house, before Hunton became more agitated, picking up a silver ornamental candlestick holder and throwing it at her face before punching her.

She went to hospital and had x-rays and was told she would need surgery to her face as well as plates and screws which were left in situ as her eye socket had been fractured.

Hunton was arrested and offered no comment but later told the police: “It’s bulls**t man, she’s trying to get some money out of me.”

Judge Andrew Jefferies said in sentencing: “In June last year for reasons I am not sure about, it doesn’t make sense to me what this row was about, you lost the plot.

“And while losing the plot you threw an ornamental candlestick at the victim and followed it up with a few punches.

“She gets a broken eye socket and fracture to her nose.

“This is a very serious assault and she required metal plates to be inserted into her face.

“Since the offence you have now got a job and you are taking the relationship with your son seriously.

“I would’ve given you 15 months in prison today which would’ve been reduced to 12 months for your guilty plea.

“One of the issues I had to consider is whether it was appropriate to impose a non-custodial sentence for punishment.

"I came to the conclusion that only a prison sentence would do but you have already served the time on curfew.

“Nevertheless, I will mark the offence with a 12-month prison sentence but that will mean you will not go to prison as you have been on curfew for seven months, and given that you have served more than half of that 12 month sentence you will be released today.”

Hunton, 26, was free to leave the court but will remain on post sentence supervision and licence.

He was made subject of an indefinite restraining order, which can be altered should either party wish to apply to vary the conditions.

Hunton is also banned from entering certain areas of Bacup until further notice.