A BURNLEY nightclub bouncer allegedly attacked a customer after dragging him outside at closing time, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Andrew Marshall, 32, punched and kicked victim Matthew Crawford who had fallen asleep in The Works, last May.

Mr Crawford suffered a broken nose and grazes, was given painkillers and later had to attend a fracture clinic. The defendant, of Talkin Drive, Middleton, denies assault causing actual harm.

Stuart Duke, prosecuting, told the court Mr Crawford became separated from his friends in the Works and was dragged from the premises and punched and kicked in the face as he was thrown out into the street by the doorman in the early hours. Mr Crawford, helped by a passer-by, suffered a broken nose and grazes.

The defendant was arrested two weeks later and taken to Burnley police station where he said he had been on duty on the night of the alleged assault and had dealt with Mr Crawford. He claimed the alleged victim had been "off his head," but he had been very polite with Mr Crawford.

The defendant alleged Mr Crawford had sworn at him and tried to take his head off with a bottle. Mr Duke added Marshall claimed Mr Crawford was trying to bite his fingers off as he was attempting to escort him from the club.

The prosecutor told the jury the Crown would say that was nonsense as Mr Crawford was subjected to gratuitous violence. Marshall was trying to blacken the name of the complainant, who had been vulnerable and not in a position to defend himself.

(Proceeding)