A MAN who assaulted a landlady during an incident outside the pub left the scene but returned shortly after brandishing an axe.

Blackburn magistrates heard a member of the public confronted James Fry and managed to disarm him.

Fry, 22, of no fixed address pleaded guilty to affray, possession of an offensive weapon in Berry Lane, Longridge and assaulting Sally Sergeant and Bradley Darlington. He was jailed for 52 weeks.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said Miss Sergeant and Mr Darlington were landlady and landlord of the Towneley Arms in Longridge.

She was outside clearing away glasses at the end of the night. Fry began arguing with his partner and Miss Sergeant told her she could come into the pub to seek refuge.

"The defendant became aggressive towards Miss Sergeant," said Mr Saeed. "He struck her to the face, knocking her to the ground and causing her glasses to smash."

Mr Darlington intervened and Fry left before returning with the axe.

"With the assistance of a member of the public he was detained and the axe taken off him," said Mr Saeed.