A MAN who attacked a woman with a pool cue in a row over a game has walked free from court.

Jason Mayor, 23, struggled with victim Claire Louise Northrop over the cue, injuring her nose and leaving her pouring with blood.

She fell to the floor and Mayor then deliberately hit her in the stomach with the cue, causing bruising.

Mayor, said to have problems with drink, drugs, and anger management, was told by a judge he had just saved himself from jail by his guilty plea.

The judge added Mayor may get some benefit from a non-custodial sentence Mayor, of Washington Street, Accrington, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, in July, last year.

He was given a six-month jail term, suspended for 12 months, with supervision and the Think First programme for anger management. He must also pay £250 compensation.

Burnley Crown Court was told Mayor, who had a previous conviction for grievous bodily harm, struck at the Old England Forever pub, Clayton-le-Moors. Both he and the victim wanted to play pool and Miss Northrop asked him when he was going to finish his game.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Mayor was in drink. It may well have been the victim was as well as she had been in the pub some time.