TWO men have walked free from court after a young dad suffered a smashed skull on his first night out in his new home town of Barnoldswick.

Burnley Crown Court had heard how James Cooper lay in wait for Dominic Heys, punched him and knocked him over.

Mr Heys had been lulled into a false sense of security by thinking the defendant was going to apologise for an earlier incident inside the Seven Stars pub, the court was told. Mr Heys hit his head on the cobbles outside the premises.

As he lay unconscious, Christopher Garner walked up and kicked him.

Sentencing the duo, Judge Christopher Cornwall said their behaviour had been disgraceful.

Cooper, 22 , of Harrison Street, Barnoldswick, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. He was given 200 hours community punishment and told to pay £300 costs and £1,000 compensation.

Garner, 18, of Sheridan Road, Laneshawbridge, was given 240 hours community punishment and ordered to pay £750 costs and £250 compensation. He had been convicted by a jury of assault causing actual bodily harm.

The court had earlier been told Mr Heys probably suffered the fractured skull before Garner came out of the pub.

His girlfriend Judith Toward had told the jury that as she and Mr Heys were leaving the pub, Cooper and another man were waiting for them.

Cooper ushered the victim around the corner and the other man said Mr Heys was going to be punched.

When Cooper was asked why he had struck Mr Heys, he said the complainant had asked for it.

Miss Toward went over to her partner, talked to him and tried to bring him round.

Garner appeared, and thinking he had come to offer help, Miss Toward stood up.

Garner then kicked Mr Heys hard on the head with his boot. Garner denied ever kicking Mr Heys.

He claimed he had held up Mr Heys' chin with his boot to see if he recognised him.