A 'LOUTISH' property developer who lost his temper and injured a man who put his arm around him in a pub, has kept his freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how David Whitham, 32, whose victim had been on crutches, had behaved in a way which meant he could have faced jail -- but a judge said she did not need to deprive him of his liberty.

Judge Barbara Watson told the defendant his conduct had been disgraceful and unacceptable and members of the public should not have been subjected to it.

Whitham, of Eddleston Street, Accrington, had earlier admitted affray, in January. He was given a 180 hour community punishment order.

The court was told Whitham had 'rugby tackled' the victim, John Anthony Chadwick, to the floor. Mr Chadwick had recovered from his injuries.

Anthony Longworth, defending, said Mr Chadwick was well-known in the area and he would hang up his crutches and move around the pub.

He had a habit of latching on to people in the pub and would not go away when they made it clear he was unwelcome.

Whitham had tried to avoid him but the complainant had made a thorough nuisance of himself.

He began to put his arm around the defendant and Whitham lost his temper after putting up with it for some time.

He hit him, lost control of himself and was involved in an unseemly brawl.