An assault in the early hours spotted by a town centre CCTV operator has led to a violent man being sentenced for the attack.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard the operator contacted police as he tracked the assailant as he got into a taxi and left the scene shortly after 4.35am in Darwen town centre on April 28.

He then tracked the taxi until it was stopped by officers and the operator was then able to identify Daniel Hutcheon as the guilty party.

Hutcheon, 37, of Bentham Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Adrian Taylor.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring tag and a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said Hutcheon had a history of violent offences.

“Why you drink is beyond me,” she said.

“When you do you commit criminal offences. Clearly, you can’t take your alcohol.”

Rachel Evans, prosecuting, said the CCTV showed Hutcheon punching another man, Mr Taylor, repeatedly.

Having been knocked to the floor the victim was kicked several times before Hutcheon left the scene in a taxi.

“The taxi was stopped by the police and the CCTV operator confirmed the identity of the defendant as the person who had carried out the assault,” said Miss Evans.

“The aggrieved has not given a statement to the police.”

Miss Evans said Hutcheon had six violent offences on his record.

Jonathan Taylor, by way of mitigation, said it was an incident his client should not have got involved in.

“He got a call from a female friend who was concerned about the actions of another male,” said Mr Taylor.

“In a drunken state, he has become embroiled and after an exchange of words, his response was wholly disproportionate. He is ashamed of the way he reacted.”

Mr Taylor said his client was a family man who had his own business.

“Three members of his family work for him and they will suffer if he receives a custodial sentence," he added.