A JUDGE has vowed that courts will protect people working in pubs after slamming the behaviour of a drinker who attacked a Blackburn landlady.

Judge Barbara Watson told John Kyle, 35, who had grabbed Dawn McQuaid by the throat until she was choking, his actions had been "quite disgraceful and deplorable."

She added: "Public houses are places people go to to relax and enjoy themselves and it is important that the people who run them are able to control the behaviour of their customers."

Kyle, who has since left the Blackburn area and is living in Manchester, was sent to jail for three months, after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm last February. Ian Longworth, prosecuting, said Ms McQuaid was the licencee of the Stagedoor in Mincing Lane and the defendant, known as Scotch John, had been barred. He said Kyle went into the pub and would not leave without his partner Andrew.

A barman took him out, but he immediately returned and sat on a stool. He was again asked to leave, refused to go without Andrew and the landlady went to phone the police.

He said the defendant approached her from behind, tried to pull the receiver from her hand and then grabbed hold of the front of her t-shirt and started pulling. There was a struggle and Kyle got hold of the complainant's throat until she felt as if she was choking and snapped her necklace, the court heard.

Mr Longworth said when police arrived the defendant, who was restrained by a barman, continued to be abusive and aggressive. His victim suffered bruises.

Kate Thomas, defending, said Kyle had had 10 or 15 pints and six or seven double vodkas. He had been drinking all day and had earlier rowed with his partner.

The defendant had had problems in his earlier life and had turned to drink as a way of coping with what happend to him.

T but things were now looking better for him. He was in a settled relationship which provided him with support and stability and was working for the RAC.