AN ex-convict who hit another man over the head with an ashtray in a pub melee is behind bars for 15 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how trouble erupted after victim Daniel Marshall thought defendant Gavin Worthington, 30, was flirting with his girlfriend.

Mr Marshall suffered a 3cm gash to the back of his head in the Brunshaw pub, Burnley, and Worthington accepted what he had done was "wholly wrong."

Jailing Worthington, Recorder Teresa Pepper said there was no excuse and only custody could be justified.

She went on: "The message must go out that people who behave like this in a public place must go to prison."

The defendant, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, admitted unlawful wounding.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Worthington had not gone into the pub armed, but picked up the ashtray when there was trouble.

He accepted his behaviour had been wrong. If there had just been a punch up, the defendant may well have been able to say he was acting in self defence, but using the ashtray was inappropriate.

Worthington was dragged across the room by a number of men after the assault.

Mr Stuart said the defendant had gone out that night for a quiet drink but things got out of hand.

Worthington, who had been to prison, had had trouble with drink and drugs.

He had kept out of trouble for periods of time and when he came out of jail in 1992 did not commit any offences for three years.

The barrister said Worthington had not seen heroin at all until he went into custody at the age of 19 and he then started taking it.

On the night of the offence, alcohol did him no good. He had not got got the best record the court had ever seen, but had not got the worst either.

Mr Stuart said: "Hopefully, this spell in custody will be his last. He has come to his senses."