A PUB landlord was knocked unconscious after ushering two drinkers out of his pub.

James McLoughlin threw a punch at Derek Hulme, knocking him to the ground.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the attacker then rang emergency services to admit what he had done.

Joshua Bowker, prosecuting, told how McLoughlin and a friend had been drinking when they walked in to The York pub on Newport Street at 7.40pm on April 28 and ordered two Sambucas.

But the pair did not have any money to pay for them and so left.

When they returned five minutes later Mr Hulme, who was behind the bar, escorted them off the premises.

Outside McLoughlin's friend threw a fake punch at the landlord, but immediately afterwards, in an unprovoked attack, McLoughlin hit Mr Hulme from behind, using an uppercut punch to his chin.

"It caused Mr Hulme to fall to the ground, he hit his head and lost consciousness," said Mr Bowker.

"The complainant has no recollection of the incident."

The court heard that 24-year-old McLoughlin, of Brightmeadow Close, Breightmet, has no previous convictions for violence.

Mr Hulme suffered a cut chin and head and had to take a week off work.

McLoughlin pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

Andrew Costello, defending said: "He fully understands how grave a situation this is and what a ridiculous, thuggish act it was that he undertook."

He added that the incident was out of character.

"He rang the police himself and reported to the emergency services that he had just hit someone who was lying prone on the ground and not moving," said Mr Costello.

"It is more a reflection of who this young man is."

He added that, since then, McLoughlin has suffered the loss of his 21-year-old brother.

Judge Graeme Smith told McLoughlin that his offending has to be marked with a "significant punitive sentence".

He added that the defendant only committed the offence because he had been drinking.

"It is quite unusual for a defendant to ring the police to tell them what he has done and wait at the scene," said the judge.

McLoughlin was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months and was ordered to undertake 160 hours of unpaid work.

He must also participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities as well as a thinking skills programme and pay Mr Hulme £500 in compensation.

A restraining order was made banned McLoughlin from going to the York pub, contacting Mr Hulme or going within 50 metres of him.

"Rest assured, if there is a repetition of this there will be immediate custody," Judge Smith told McLoughlin. "I trust you have learnt your lesson."