A MAN smashed up a neighbour's car with an iron bar because he hadn't helped him when he was beaten outside a pub earlier in the night.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Lee Anthony Parker caused £400 worth of damage to the car which belonged to Gareth Jones who was a friend as well as a neighbour.

Parker, 31, of Bower Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was ordered to pay £400 compensation and £55 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said Mr Jones had left his car outside his home when he went to the Mill Hill pub. Parker was there and during the evening Mr Jones was told there was a fight involving some of his friends and Parker.

After the incident Mr Jones went back into the pub and Parker left. Later, Mr Jones' mother saw Parker emerge from his house with a five feet long iron bar and smash the windscreen and other windows and hit door panels and the bonnet of Mr Jones' car.

Parker told police he had attacked the car because Mr Jones had failed to help him in a fight earlier.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said his client had sustained a broken nose when he was beaten outside the pub by a group of Mr Jones' friends.

"Mr Jones was not directly involved in the attack but my client thought he heard him say 'He's been asking for that," said Mr Nightingale. "He walked home and then, in his anger, damaged the car."

He said that at the time Parker was arrested Mr Jones was at his house discussing what had gone on. Tthey had resolved their differences and remained friends.