A MARKET trader, who twice struck a man while he had a bottle in his hand, has escaped a prison sentence.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Faraz Behseta, 24, told police he had "whacked" victim Richard Berry because he thought he was in danger.

Mr Berry, who had drunk 11 or 12 pints, was talking to friends in Church Square, Accrington, but then remembered nothing until he was in the back of the ambulance.

Behseta was given 100 hours community service and 12 months' probation by Judge Raymond Bennett, who told him there was too much violence late at night - and if he did it again it would be jail.

Behseta, of Trinity Street, Oswaldtwistle, admitted unlawful wounding and was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

Norman Lowson, prosecuting, said Behseta accepted he caused some of Mr Berry's injuries and they could have been caused by either the bottle or his sovereign ring. Mr Berry had been to a party and had been drinking most of the day, but did not think he was "legless".

Behseta was seen to hit Mr Berry across the head with a bottle in his hand.

Martin Hackett, defending, said the bottle had been held in Behseta's fist. There was no suggestion it broke. Mr Berry had approached him shouting at him, but that clearly did not warrant the injuries he received.

Behseta had shown a great deal of remorse and what he did was out of character.

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