A YOUTH who attacked a nightclubber with a bottle after his victim swore and spat at his girlfriend is starting a four-month term of detention.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mark Traill, 20, struck Anthony Taggart up to three times and later told police he was "being daft."

Traill, whose boss was so impressed with him, he was willing to consider changing the weekend shift system to stop him going into nightclubs, was told by a judge only custody could be justified.

Recorder Andrew McLoughlin said although the defendant had been provoked to some degree and had acted out of character, his behaviour had been unacceptable.

He said: "That is why you are going to a Young Offenders' Institution. It is not meant to be a crushing blow." Traill, of Wood Street, Hapton, had earlier admitted unlawful wounding.

Judith McCullough, prosecuting, said, said Mr Taggart went to a football presentation and then on to the Ironworks nightclub, in Burnley, last June.

He had about 10 pints to drink and was talking to some friends at the bar in the early hours when the defendant approached. He had a bottle in his hand and hit Mr Taggart at least twice.

Anthony Cross, defending, said Mr Taggart had had an unseemly altercation with Traill's girlfriend. He had spat at her and run his fingers across his throat.

The victim's behaviour would have "tried the patience of a saint," and Traill walked over with his bottle and belted him. Happily, Mr Taggart suffered no injury to his face, but only to his hand.