A BUSINESSMAN who attacked and "seriously injured" a man in a pub has three weeks to wait before he learns his fate.

Burnley Magistrates heard how victim Craig Stansfield suffered eye injuries, a smashed bone in his left cheek and was vomiting blood after Roy Pickles, 21, head-butted and punched him in the face in his "local," at Trawden.

Pickles, of Dean Street, Trawden, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was bailed until August 29, for a pre-sentence report.

Nigel Harrison, prosecuting, said Mr Stansfield had been to watch football at Turf Moor and then visited every pub in Colne town centre except one, before arriving at his local, The Rock Hotel.

He was "substantially in drink" and his memory of what went on was very cloudy.

Mr Stansfield recalled being near the bar and the next thing he knew, a woman was tending his face.

The complainant was taken to hospital, had stitches and was later transferred to an eye clinic because of his injuries.

Mark Irlam, defending, said two weeks before the offence, Pickles' long-term girlfriend had found out she was pregnant and although he had been overjoyed, she wanted an abortion. He found it very hard to deal with and could not dissuade her.

After she was released from hospital, he looked after her and they had been at a friend's house watching a video when they were persuaded to go to the pub.

The defendant was completely sober and, when his girlfriend asked for a drink, the victim made an abusive remark and followed it up with more. Pickles tried to get him to stop but when he was at the bar he was approached by the complainant in what he thought was a threatening manner.

Pickles asked for an apology, Mr Stansfield said he apologised to nobody and then fell hitting the bar after Pickles pushed him with his head.

Mr Irlam said the defendant had gone out for a quiet drink and had not intended to cause injury to Mr Stansfield.

He was very sorry for appearing in court and had apologised to the victim two days after the offence.