A JUDGE'S appeal for action to curb drink-related violence was prompted by an incident which left a man with a ruptured blood vessel and requiring three nights in hospital.

Burnley Crown Court and judge Raymond Bennett heard how Tony Dean, 34, was attacked and suffered a ruptured blood vessel after a row over a woman.

Ian Walmsley, 20, of Brookside View, admitted affray and Peter Whittaker, 21, of Union Road, pleaded guilty to a public order offence, last September. Both live in Oswaldtwistle.

Walmsley was given 40 hours community punishment and Whittaker was conditionally discharged for 12 months.

Edward Baker, prosecuting, said Mr Dean was with his girlfriend Deborah Fish and friends at James Street Working Men's Club, Oswaldtwistle. Walmsley, Miss Fish's ex-boyfriend and Whittaker were also there.

Mr Dean became jealous, a scuffle broke out and all were asked to leave the club. It continued outside, then subsided and the defendants went to a takeaway where there was a further confrontation.

Pushing and shoving took place on both sides, blows were exchanged and Whittaker pushed the victim. Walmsley also hit him several times, Mr Dean was unconscious and his nose was bleeding.

Mr Baker said one of Mr Dean's friends pulled the defendants away and Whittaker asked if he should phone for an ambulance. Mr Dean was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, treated for his injuries and discharged. As he was later being interviewed by police, his nose would not stop bleeding and he went back to the hospital.

The prosecutor said his nose was deviated and a blood vessel ruptured.

Mr Dean spent three nights in hospital and lost four pints of blood.