AN UPHOLSTERER who attacked an off duty night club bouncer and left him unconscious has been jailed for 14 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Shiraz Khan, 26, was said to have kicked and stamped on victim Jimmy Libaba while he was on the ground. Mr Libaba had to have plastic surgery for the injuries he suffered on a night out in January.

Sentencing, Judge Stuart Baker told Khan in the past he had been unable to control his temper and there could be no other sentence than custody. He continued: "The public must see and must understand that those who commit this type of violence at night will lose their liberty and will lose it for a significant period."

Khan, of Kyan Street, Burnley, admitted unlawful wounding.

Alexandra Simmonds, prosecuting, told the court there was "history" between the two parties. In the past the defendant had shown aggression towards the victim and Mr Libaba had refused entry to Khan while working as a doorman.

The complainant went out for the night in Burnley and around midnight ended up at the Walkabout bar. Khan approached him and at first shook hands but then became hostile. Mr Libaba, not wanting trouble, went to leave. Khan followed him outside, hit him on the back of the head and knocked him unconscious. The next thing Mr Libaba remembered was waking up in hospital.

Miss Simmonds said Khan had been seen kicking and stamping on the victim while he was unconscious. When he was arrested, the defendant claimed he had been acting in self defence. Khan had 10 previous comvictions. Anthony Cross, defending, said Khan knew he was destined for custody and the issue was the length of that term. He had a relatively bad record and as a young man had run with the crowd and offended. In recent years his offending had slowed down.

Khan had earlier been stabbed during an incident which did not concern him and had been off work a long time. He was now working for Bouyant Upholstery, was married and his wife was expecting their second child. The defendant had been trying to put behind him the lifestyle which had dogged his formative years.

Mr Cross said the penalty Khan was going to pay would set he and his wife back a number of years. He expressed remorse for his victim.