A MAN who attacked his former girlfriend's friend as frightened children watched has started a six-month jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how vehicle-checker Wayne Heal, 34, punched John Paul Hinton, knocked him to the ground and banged his head on the pavement.

Heal was told by Judge David Pirie that he had put bystanders in fear.

Heal, of Burton Street, Rishton, had earlier admitted assault causing actual bodily harm last July.

Philip Holden, prosecuting, said the defendant had recently split up with his partner and she and Mr Hinton were at home when Heal arrived.

He hit his former girlfriend and she ran into the back of the house to tell the complainant. Heal then grabbed hold of his ex and dragged her out of the house and when Mr Hinton tried to intervene, he went to the ground and was repeatedly punched in the face by the defendant.

He got to his feet and tried to prevent Heal from once again attacking his former partner, but Heal grabbed hold of Mr Hinton's throat and threw him down, causing him to hit his head.

Mr Holden said Heal repeatedly banged the victim's head on the pavement and hit him again several times.

A stocky man intervened and, after Heal was pulled off Mr Hinton, he said; "I told you this would happen." He then got in a car and drove away.

The assault was seen by a number of local people including children.

Mr Hinton suffered swelling, grazes and cuts.

The assault on Mr Hinton was bad tempered. Heal had gone round to speak to his former girlfriend, who had earlier lost a child she had been expecting by him, the court was told.