ANTHONY Eastwood lashed out at his drinking partner at the end of an all-day session.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the blow caught Jason Allan on the ear ripping out an earring.

Eastwood, 21, of Moss Lane, Knuzden, pleaded guilty to assault and was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for two years. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation and £50 costs.

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said the two men had been drinking together until Mr Allan said he was going to the Cabin End and Eastwood decided not to. Later Eastwood entered the pub holding a bottle and was told by the landlord he could not bring his own drink into the pub. Mr Allan tried to assist the landlord in calming the situation, but Eastwood became aggressive and asked his friend if he wanted him to knock him out.

Mr Allan tried to placate Eastwood and encouraged him to leave, as he had been asked to do, and at that stage Eastwood punched him. When interviewed later Eastwood said he and Mr Allan had drunk a bottle of tequila and he could not remember anything.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said it had been an unfortunate incident all round.

"It was unfortunate for Mr Allan, unfortunate for my client to get himself in this position and it arose out of an unfortunate combination of medication and alcohol," said Mr Blacklidge. "He seems to have momentarily lost his self-control and is very sorry about what happened. He promises through me that it will not happen again."