A DRUNKEN thug floored two young women in unprovoked early hours attacks in Nelson, headbutting one in the face.

Violent Wesley Duffy - who was not long out of a four and a half year jail term -- is now back behind bars after he turned on the two victims for nothing as they walked home from a night out, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Sentencing father-to-be Duffy, who will miss his baby's birth in October, Judge Beverley Lunt told him he was a danger when drunk, the assaults were vicious and his last spell in prison should have been a wake-up call.

The judge, who said she would be failing in her public duty if she did not send the defendant to custody, urged him to go and get some treatment for his drink problem on his release.

Duffy, 25, of Vincent Road, Nelson, admitted two counts of assault.

He was given 12 months to be served after 90 days unexpired from his last custodial term.

David Macro, prosecuting, said Michelle Rayson and Kerry Neagle had been to the Clayton Arms and were walking to get a taxi when they saw the defendant and his pregnant girlfriend.

Duffy started to verbally abuse the women, they tried to ignore him, Miss Rayson then told him to shut up and Miss Neagle said he should be looking after his partner.

Duffy headbutted Miss Rayson in the face, knocking her backwards to the floor, punched Miss Neagle, knocking her over as well and then hit her twice and knocked her over again.

Mr Macro said Miss Rayson suffered a burst lip, two front teeth were pushed back and she had to see an emergency dentist.

She could not eat properly, was in pain and faced more treatment.

Miss Neagle received bruises and swelling and had to go to hospital.

Afterwards she had headaches and lost her confidence.

Duffy was arrested in the town centre, cautioned and told police he had had 14 cans of lager and would have been very drunk.

The defendant served the four and a half year term for burglary and violent disorder.

Michael Murray, defending, said Duffy's problem for several years had been over indulgence in drink.

Duffy had perceived, wrongly, the victims were some threat to his girlfriend.

What he did was entirely wrong and his reaction to his conduct when sober was that it had been horrific.

He was ashamed and full of remorse. Duffy needed help with his drink problem.

Mr Murray said the defendant's partner was due to give birth in October.

He continued: "It must be an awful thing for a man to have his first child born when he's in custody, which is obviously staring him in the face."