A CARETAKER was set upon by a drunken couple after they claim they fell over on an icy footpath that he had earlier failed to grit.

Housing association caretaker William Ellwood was attacked after the angry couple insisted he sanded the road outside Southfield Square in Nelson.

Burnley magistrates heard how his attackers, resident Sara Green and her boyfriend David Drinkwater, attacked Mr Ellwood after a drunken night out over Christmas.

Green, who has children, now faces losing her home.

The defendants, both said to be depressed, admitted affray and assault by beating on December 28.

Drinkwater, 24, of Castle Street, Nelson, was given 160 hours community punishment and ordered to pay £275 compensation.

Green, 32, of Southfield Square, was given 100 hours community punishment and also told to pay £275 compensation. Neither had any previous convictions.

Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, told the court the victim heard a knock on his door and saw Drinkwater, whom he did not recognise.

The defendant told him he was useless and said he would make a better caretaker than him.

Drinkwater claimed Southfield Square had not been gritted and told the caretaker he should come out and do it.

Mr Ellwood didn't want any fuss and realising Drinkwater was a resident's partner agreed to go out and grit.

Mr Gaffney said after Mr Ellwood had gritted the pathway, he was walking back to his home when he was struck in the face for no reason.

Green was abusing the caretaker and told him he needed a good kicking.

The punch knocked Mr Ellwood to the floor and his glasses smashed, but Drinkwater carried on hitting him until another resident came and stopped him. Green then continued the attack.

The prosecutor said Mr Ellwood suffered grazing and swelling to his eye and scratches, went to see his doctor and was given painkillers. The defendants were arrested.

Richard Taylor, for the couple, described the incident as "nasty," and said the defendants had never been in any trouble before. They went out rarely and had had far too much to drink.

Drinkwater slipped on ice on his way home, and Green and her children had also slipped. The defendants decided they would go and remonstrate with Mr Ellwood and ask him to grit the path, which they say had not been done.

Mr Taylor told the court Green stood to lose her home because of what had happened and possession proceedings had been started against her.