AN ALLEGED victim suffered serious facial injuries after a man ambushed in Barnoldswick town centre, a jury heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told how Michael Byker, 26, who had previously been involved in a fracas with Luke Stockdale, hid behind a car before pouncing on him and smashing his jaw three days before last Christmas.

Mr Stockdale suffered a bi-lateral fracture and had to have surgery to insert metal plates in his face.

Byker, alleged to have punched and kicked the victim as well as sinking his teeth into him, was questioned by police and gave a false name. He later claimed he had been acting in self- defence, the jury heard.

Byker, of Garnett Street, Barrowford, denies inflicting grievous bodily harm, last December 22.

Michael Lavery, prosecuting, said Mr Stockdale was in the Seven Stars pub when Byker approached him and apologised for the previous incident.

He brushed the defendant off and said they should just leave it and go their separate ways. That seemed to be the catalyst for the violence.

Mr Lavery said the alleged victim went to the toilets and Byker followed and attacked him.

That was stopped when someone went into the lavatories and pulled the defendant away.

Byker was thrown out and Mr Stockdale was also asked to leave.

The prosecutor alleged Byker then waited to continue his attack "lying in ambush."

(proceeding)