AN ex-convict who smashed a schoolgirl's hand in "drunken horseplay" has been jailed for 18 months.

Former slaughterhouse worker Daniel Brown, 20, had lifted the handlebars of the 13-year-old's bicycle causing her to fall over and break a bone in her hand, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Brown, already behind bars, who has a record for violence, was on licence at the time and said to pose a "substantial risk of harm to the public," was given a longer than normal sentence by Judge Raymond Bennett.

The defendant, who went to see the victim's father the day after and said he was sorry, was told by the judge he must have at least been reckless.

Brown, of Fenton Avenue, Barnoldswick, had earlier admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm.

John O'Shea, prosecuting, told the court that after the incident, the girl was too afraid to tell police what happened, went home and told her father.

The following morning she was in such pain, she had to go to hospital and was found to have fractured a bone in her hand. Her hand was put in plaster. The prosecutor said the day after, the defendant went to the victim's house, spoke to her father and apologised for what happened.

He said he had been drunk at the time.

The incident was reported to police, Brown was later arrested, interviewed and made no comment.

Mr O'Shea said Brown had previous convictions for assault and disorderly behaviour and was on prison licence when he committed the offence.

Hugh Barton, defending, said the offence was not a "typical grievous bodily harm" case and was the result of joking, drunken horseplay.

Brown bore no animosity towards the victim, did not at the time and what happened was an accident.

Mr Barton told the court Brown had had behavioural problems and had clearly acted in a criminal and anti-social manner over the years.

He was becoming increasingly frustrated by the negative consequences of that behaviour on his family and himself.

The defendant, who was angry with himself, wanted support on his release.