A 20-YEAR-OLD man making his way home from a Blackburn nightclub was attacked over a cigarette, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Peter Williams was pushed to the floor, kicked and had a gold chain ripped from his neck after a man who had accepted a "drag" from his last cigarette refused to hand it back.

Adam Birch, 20, of Wimberley Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Williams and damaging his gold chain. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £195 compensation and £65 costs.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said Mr Williams was making his way home after a night out with friends when he was approached by a group of men. After offering to share his last cigarette with one of the men, Mr Williams asked for it back. One of the group turned and asked if he was going to make him give it back and then pushed him to the floor.

Clare knight, defending, said it had not been her client who confronted Mr Williams. She said he had kicked out instinctively when Mr Williams fell against him.