A 35-YEAR-old man allegedly attacked a woman and her partner on the same night in a fracas at a Nelson pub.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Richard Eastwood twice floored Catherine Salter and punched and kicked Roger Goldie.

Eastwood, of King Street, Brierfield, denies two allegations of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Frank Nance, prosecuting, said Ms Salter had known the defendant for many years, and he had begun to make insulting remarks about her daughter.

Ms Salter, who had been avoiding Eastwood, went out with her boyfriend and the defendant was in the pub.

She came out of the toilets to find the defendant grinning at her.

She began to turn away, was struck and ended up on the floor, with the defendant standing over her. She got up and as she did so, Eastwood punched her in the face, knocking her to the floor again. Mr Nance said Mr Goldie decided to leave, and was punched from behind and fell to the floor then was aware of the defendant kicking him,.

He was in hospital with head injuries and was kept in for six days - in part due to alcohol-related problems. Ms Salter went to hospital after three days suffering bruising and returned five days later, still having headaches.

Eastwood was arrested a week after the alleged offences and claimed Ms Salter had grabbed his groin, he had lashed out and she went to the floor.

He said she had done the same thing again and he had lashed out with his feet. He denied assaulting Mr Goldie.

(Proceeding)

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