A YOUTH is behind bars for 12 months for his part in the street attack on an off-licence owner who had barred him from his stores.

Dominic Cooper, 18, of Alexandra Close, Clayton-le-Moors, punched and knocked Thomas Johnston, 46, to the floor and left him "prostrate in the road".

Mr Thomas ending up going over the bonnet of a car waiting at traffic lights, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Sending Cooper to a young offenders' institution, assistant recorder Barbara Forrester, sitting with two magistrates, said the attack was "two on to one" on a man the worse for drink and vulnerable.

She went on: "He was in no position to defend himself. That sort of behaviour is always viewed most seriously by these courts.

"Courts will not accept violence of any sort of the streets."

Cooper, had earlier admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, told the court Mr Johnston had barred Cooper from two stores.

On June 22, Mr Johnston had been to a pub when Cooper, by chance, came round a corner on a mountain bike.

Mr Johnston decided to walk to a friend's home for safety, when Cooper rushed towards him and hit him on the jaw. Mr Johnston was knocked to the ground by more punches. Mr Lamberty said the victim was then seen by two youths to stagger up the road. He was then knocked over a car bonnet by another blow.

He was punched on the ground by the two youths, who then made off.

Mr Johnston was taken to hospital, where he was found to have suffered cuts and bruises. He later had to have dental treatment for a loosened tooth and lost a filling.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Cooper had been in custody since June 23.

He said Cooper wanted to make his mother proud of him, go back to work and get alcohol counselling.

Mr Baldwin said Mr Johnston had barred Cooper because he suspected him of passing "dodgy £10 notes" at his shop.

He went on: "The defendant regrets his behaviour and has sympathy for Mr Johnston in his injuries. Hopefully, this can be the end of the dispute between the two of them."

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