A HUSBAND suffered a smashed jaw and spent two days in hospital after he was allegedly attacked with his own wheel brace in an early-hours street brawl.

Burnley Crown Court heard how frightened Daniel Thornton "rather foolishly" went to his car and took out the brace, later dropped it and was hit with it several times, allegedly by Jason Bancroft.

Bancroft, 20, of Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm, on 16 July.

Mark Fireman, prosecuting, told the jury that Bancroft was involved in violence near Churchills late-night bar in Accrington with a number of people on the streets and had admitted affray.

Mr Thornton, his wife and friend were outside the club and the friend, Julie Jennings, confronted the defendant about the incident. Rather foolishly Mr Thornton went to his car and got the wheel brace because he was fearful.

Mr Fireman said CCTV video footage captured Mr Thornton being assaulted on the ground. Shortly afterwards, Bancroft arrived and for no good reason and joined in.

A young woman was then seen picking up the wheel brace, putting it under her jumper presumably to get rid of fingerprints and then throwing it over a wall.

Mr Fireman said Mr Thornton suffered a fractured jaw and when the defendant was interviewed by police, he denied using any weapon on Mr Thornton and said he had had nothing in his hands.

(Proceeding)