A MAN with a history of unprovoked attacks on females struck in Blackburn as a woman made her way to work.

Blackburn magistrates heard Julie Gregson was approached at 7.40am by Michael Wilson who punched her in the face for absolutely no reason and without warning.

The court was told that Miss Gregson had been left mentally and emotionally scarred by the attack in New Chapel Street, close to Mill Hill Station.

Wilson, 39, of Regent House Hotel, Rupert Street, London, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm. He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court for sentence after the magistrates said their powers of punishment -- six months in prison -- were insufficient.

John Wood, prosecuting, said Wilson walked up to Miss Gregson and, when just half a metre away, shouted abuse at her.

Mr Wood went on: "He then hit her in the face with his left fist. She was able to run into a nearby shop and raise the alarm and police arrested Wilson on Mill Hill Station."

He said Miss Gregson had been to her GP since the attack in July and had been prescribed anti-depressants because she had been suffering panic attacks.

"She says that when she is alone she starts to shake and feel insecure so clearly this unprovoked attack by a total stranger has had quite an affect on this lady," said Mr Wood.

He detailed Wilson's convictions, including five years for attempted robbery in 1992, and said there were numerous assaults on females, including several in East Lancashire.

The last conviction, in October 2001 happened in Colne Road, Burnley, when he struck an unknown female in the face and said: "Do you like that. Are you scared?"

Richard Taylor, defending, said that while the physical injuries sustained by the victim were slight, he appreciated there were some psychological problems as a result.

"I don't know if it will make the victim feel any better but he regrets what happened and does have some psychiatric problems," said Mr Taylor.

"It is only two or three years ago that people started to work with my client and his last probation officer said his problems arose when he didn't take his medication."

Mr Taylor said Wilson had come up from London, where he lives in a hostel, to visit his sister in Colne. The incident occurred when he got off the train to buy some food.