A MAN who launched an unprovoked attack on a workmate as he walked towards Blackburn town centre has been ordered to pay his victim £500 compensation.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when Allan Sherrington stopped his car his colleague thought he was being offered a lift.

But instead, without speaking, Sherrington punched him on the jaw, knocking him to the floor, and then began to pummel him about the face with both fists.

Sherrington, 23, of Peel Mount, Knuzden, pleaded guilty to assaulting Martin Oglesby causing him actual bodily harm. He was made subject to a 12-month community rehabilitation order and ordered to complete 60 hours community punishment as well as paying £500 compensation and £75 costs.

Phillip Potter, prosecuting, said Sherrington had no previous convictions and had been frank in his admissions to the police. "As well as losing his good character he has also lost his job at Marsden Packaging as a result of this incident," said Mr Potter.

He said Mr Oglesby had been walking towards town when he saw Sherrington pull up in his car. The defendant got out of the driver's door and Mr Oglesby thought he was going to get a lift," said Mr Potter.

"Unfortunately that was not the case. Sherrington was obviously angry and he drew back his fist and punched Mr Oglesby on the jaw, knocking him to the floor. He bent over him and using both his fists began punching Mr Oglesby in the face. "

Mr Potter said Mr Oglesby did not know how many times he was punched. He tried to pull Sherrington down to the ground but was then kicked.

"He began to ask 'What have I done?' and defendant replied 'Nothing, you never do." said Mr Potter.

"They had been working together that day and according to Mr Oglesby there had been no problems."

Sherrington told police there had been a long period of misconduct towards him at work. He said Oglesby had been picking on him verbally at work and trying to get him in trouble with his supervisor.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said his client was a quiet and introverted young man who had suffered as a result of his parents 'divorce and the break-up of his own relationship.

"I tread carefully and do not want to be critical of someone who is not before the court but my client has a different perception of the aggrieved's treatment of him. He felt he was made the butt of his jokes although it may well be that Mr Oglesby didn't realise that my client was upset by the jibes and insults," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"Having bottled things up everything erupted and he behaved in the way described. To his credit he gave himself up to police and the officer who dealt with the case noted his genuine remorse."