A BURNLEY publican attacked a customer after a Hallowe’en party.

The town’s crown court heard that Liam Ostle, found wandering around the Dugdale Arms in the early hours, was headbutted by landlord Kevin Macrae as police held him in handcuffs.

Macrae lunged and assaulted Mr Ostle after he was said to have smirked.

Judge Beverley Lunt told him: “You were overly aggressive.

“The only reason I am not sending you to prison is that I do accept it was in the heat of the moment.”

The defendant, of Dugdale Road, Burnley, admitted common assault.

He was given eight weeks in custody, suspended for a year, and must live at the pub for two days.

“He was ordered to pay £500 costs.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said the pub had had a Hallowe’en evening and afterwards the defendant had locked up.

But Liam Ostle had stayed after closing time and was wandering around.

He could be seen on CCTV in the games room at 2.41am. The defendant called police.

Miss Statham said police searched and found Mr Ostle under the pinball machine.

He said he was sleeping there. He was not prosecuted over any allegation.

The defendant was interviewed by police and claimed he had been acting in self-defence as he thought Mr Ostle was going to headbutt him.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Macrae worked extremely hard.