AN alcoholic who attacked an unidentified man who then staggered away, has been jailed for four months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Alexander McLean, 35, who started drinking when he was just eight years old, knocked back 12 litres of White Lightning cider some days - and had three of them as soon as he woke up each morning.

He was one of three people who set upon the man and repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on him.

McLean, of Clement Street, Accrington, currently serving a two year sentence, imposed last September for affray, had admitted common assault.

The new term will run consecutively to the one current one.

Sentencing him, Judge David Pirie said it was one of the most serious cases of common assault he had had to deal with.

The attack had been dealt with as a common assault as the victim had left the scene and the prosecution was not in a position to prove what injuries he might have suffered.

He added it was remarkable the victim did not apparently sustain any injury which could have been proved in court.

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said the victim was attacked outside the market hall in Accrington town centre.

The defendant was recognised as one of the town centre drinkers, but said he could not remember assaulting anybody because of heavy alcohol intake.

Paul Hague, defending, said McLean had no recollection of what happened but had accepted the evidence and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.