A WEIGHT lifter smashed the jaw of a college security guard when he stopped him going past reception.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Irfan Ayub, 21, said to take steroids, hit out at James Thomas after he blocked his path at the Nelson and Colne College in December 1999.

Ayub, of Bradley Road East, Nelson, originally given 200 hours community punishment after being convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm, was sent to jail for three months, after admitting breach of the order.

He had been remanded in custody at the request of his family after he got hooked on heroin.

Sentencing him, Judge Raymond Bennett said he had only himself to blame for going to prison. He added that all Mr Thomas had been doing was his job and stopping the defendant wandering, around the college.

He added community punishment was an alternative to prison and all that had been asked of him was that he do the order.

Robert Crawford, prosecuting for the probation service, said Ayub had done 76 hours of the order.

He had gone to the college to try and get the family house keys from his sister and the security guard had tried to block his path.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Ayub had lost his temper because his way was blocked and he had punched out. He was not a violent person.

The defendant had become addicted to heroin and his family had sent him back to Pakistan.

Ayub had come back again and fallen in with those taking drugs.