AN electrician hit his friend on the head with a broom handle after a night of drinking, a court heard.

Preston Crown Court heard Shaun Robert Grieve had been out drinking with the victim Daniel Brown and other friends on March 4, 2017.

Grieve, 29, from Blackburn, and his friends had been visiting pubs in Blackburn and Preston, and had watched a fighting event before returning to Blackburn to his mother’s house, along with Mr Brown.

Julian Taylor, prosecuting, said the incident took place at Grieve’s mother’s house with the defendant and Mr Brown both being upstairs.

He said: “There was one blow to the complainant, using a weapon.

“Mr Brown felt he was hit with a blow to the head.

“He said the the defendant said something and then he went dizzy and his vision went dark.

“He could feel blood running down his face.”

Mr Taylor said Mr Brown had initially refused to go to hospital but was taken to Royal Preston Hospital with a cut on his head.

The reason for the attack was unclear due to the amount of alcohol which had been consumed by the complainant and defendant.

Mr Taylor said the complainant alleged there was more than one blow, however because alcohol played a part on both sides it was unclear whether this was the case.

The court heard Grieve’s mobile phone was thrown from a taxi the group in going to Blackburn by a friend, but it was unclear who threw it.

Grieve had 55 previous convictions for a range of offences including arson, battery, motor vehicle crime and breaking the peace.

Stuart Mills, defending, said: “His problem is alcohol.

“He wants to start fresh. He will not claim benefits.

“It shows he does not want to be a drain on society.

“He knows if he breaches an order he would be back before court.”

Grieve, of Shakespeare Way, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and was given a 10 month suspended prison sentence.

Grieve was also ordered to complete up to 40 rehabilitation days and pay a surcharge fee.

Judge Sara Dodd said: “You were friends, which makes it all bizarre.”