A JUDGE has hit out at the levels of street violence in Burnley after sending a thug to jail for glassing a teenager in a vicious early hours attack.

Judge Michael Byrne slammed tattoed yob Paul Hartley's behaviour as "nothing short of scandalous", criticised the amount of street violence in Burnley and warned the courts would not tolerate it.

He told father-of-two Hartley: "Street violence and drunken street violence is sadly becoming an endemic feature of life in our towns and cities. It is a particular problem in Burnley.

"The courts are enjoined to do what they can to eradicate this feature from the life of our community. The courts will not stand idly by when confronted with offences of this sort."

Tattooist, body piercer and nightclub bouncer Hartley, 28, is now behind bars for 21 months. He was also made the subject of a three-year anti-social behaviour order, banning him from any pub or licensed club in Burnley.

When he comes out of jail, he will not be allowed in the town centre between 7pm and 7am.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Hartley was a risk to the public when things did not go his way and when he was drunk and riled. He now had a criminal record to match his appearance.

Six feet tall and substantially built, Hartley, who was given a three-year prison term in Cyprus for importing ecstasy into the island

resort of Ayia Napa, had told his young Burnley victim, 'You are no match for me,' before thrusting the glass in his face and leaving him seriously injured and scarred for life.

The judge, who said Hartley had called his 17-year-old victim over to remonstrate with him or assault him, added that his excessive drinking was worrying and his criminal record gave cause for concern.

The defendant, of Fell View, Harle Syke, Burnley, admitted unlawful wounding last September.

Roger Baldwin, prosecuting, said the victim, who had been drinking alcopops, left Burnley's Club 53 at 3.15am and was "substantially affected by drink".

A friend was knocked out in a back alley and the teenager ran over to find him on the ground. He was then pushed over and when he got to his feet was confronted by the defendant.

The victim's friends pulled him away and minutes later Hartley called him over, put his arm round him and told him he wasn't going to hurt him. He then hit him in the face with a glass, leaving the youngster bleeding profusely from four deep wounds.

The victim was taken to hospital and then transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary to see a surgeon. The teenager was left with permanent scars although they may fade.

Mr Baldwin said the defendant, who had got in a car and driven away, was aware officers wanted to speak to him and later handed himself in at Burnley police station.

He was arrested and said he had gone to punch somebody with his hand but "happened to have a bacardi and coke in it at the time".

The prosecutor told the court Hartley had 15 previous convictions, including wounding, threatening behaviour, possessing offensive weapons, criminal damage and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour.

The court was told that, after his ordeal, the 17-year-old could not talk to people as he used to, felt he could not be bothered with anything and was frightened of crowded places.

Tim Brennand, defending, said the attack was unpleasant but not sustained or premeditated. Hartley, who formerly worked on the door at Monroes in Great Harwood, struck the blow deliberately perhaps to teach the teenager a lesson.

The 17-year-old had frequented the nightclub and the two men had some ongoing dispute. The barrister said the defendant looked terrifying with his tattoos and body piercings but was a thinking man. At first sight he was intimidating but that was not the only impression to be gained of him.