A ROYAL Marine who head butted a Clitheroe landlord in the face was said to have used his body as a weapon - just as another man might use a knife.

Blackburn magistrates told Jamie Norman Walmsley the fact he was a highly trained and extremely fit young man aggravated the assault on Philip Knight, licensee of the Quay Street.

And they told him they had seriously considered jail, despite the fact it would have led to his discharge from the Marines.

Walmsley, 19, of Bolland Prospect, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £300 compensation to Mr Knight and £65 costs.

Julie Reilly, prosecuting, said Walmsley had been involved in a disturbance on the dance floor. He struggled so violently it took four bouncers to throw him out of the Lowergate pub.

Walmsley got back in through a door behind the bar but was spotted by Mr Knight who approached him from behind and put a hand on his shoulder.

"He spun round and head butted Mr Knight in the face," said Ms Reilly.

"He felt like his nose had exploded and there was blood pouring down his face."

Walmsley was restrained by staff and customers and again ejected from the pub.

He kicked the door repeatedly and eventually had to be restrained until the police arrived.

Stephen Barker, defending, said that Walmsley had been drinking and did not have a clear recollection of how the landlord had suffered his injuries.

"He accepts responsibility for those injuries but it does appear that the whole incident was aggravated by the way the door staff reacted," said Mr Barker.

"He is also subject to a review of his position by the Marines because of this incident," said Mr Barker.