A BRIDEGROOM-to-be suffered smashed bones in his neck and a broken nose after a "cowardly and unprovoked" attack in a Burnley pub, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how John Barker was kicked from behind and headbutted by John McRandle, 39, who claimed he had been acting in self defence.

McRandle, of Caernarvon Avenue, Burnley, denies inflicting grievous bodily harm, last April, at the Cattle Market pub. John Chaplin, prosecuting, said Mr Barker, his fiancee and friends went to the pub, where he knew two members of the band playing that night. The defendant had been in the pub from the late afternoon and when the group struck up, he was directly in front of the victim. The defendant knocked Mr Barker's drink and spilled some beer, Mr Barker said: "Excuse me," McRandle apologised and that appeared to be the end of it.

Thirty minutes later, Mr Barker went to the toilets on his own and as he pushed open a door, felt a kick in his lower back. He fell to the floor, was kicked again, but managed to grab the legs of his alleged attacker. Mr Barker shouted that McRandle had got the wrong man, managed to get to his feet and the defendant turned to leave the toilets. Instead, he turned round and headbutted Mr Barker in the nose.

Mr Barker lunged at the defendant in self defence and they fell out of the toilet into the back room of the pub. The aggrieved shouted: "Stop him, get him," but McRandle got up and left.

The defendant was arrested 11 days later and claimed he had pushed the complainant back and he must have hit the wall. The defendant also alleged Mr Barker had rugby tackled him and he hit him in the back to try and get him off.

The defendant told police Mr Barker got up and went at him again so he headbutted him. He claimed they fell backwards into the pool room, Mr Barker fell on top of him.

Mr Chaplin told the jury the Crown said the attack by the defendant on Mr Barker was cowardly and unprovoked.

(Proceeding)