THE partner of a pub landlady hit a customer over the head with a hammer after the customer had thrown beer at him, a court was told.

Victim John James Bennett had been arguing with an acquaintance in the Church Inn pub, Leigh, over money he claimed was owed to him. When the argument became heated Graham Moss asked Mr Bennett to leave the pub.

As Mr Bennett left he threw beer over Moss and then hurled his pint pot, which smashed into other glasses behind the bar. Later, as he walking down the street near the pub eating a chicken curry, Mr Bennett said Moss hit him on the head with a hammer before subjecting him to a beating with other men.

Yesterday Moss, 44, of The Church Inn, Westleigh Lane, Leigh, appeared for trial at Bolton Crown Court. He denies wounding Mr Bennett with intent.

Alan Wolstenholme, prosecuting, said Mr Bennett had gone to the pub and became involved in a heated conversation with a man called Fred Dando.

Mr Bennett said he saw Fred Dando and asked him about £20 he claimed Mr Dando owed him. He regretted throwing the beer at Moss and claimed he had thrown his pint pot away from him.

He went to a car and, while he was talking to Mr Dando, Moss hit him on the top of his head with a hammer.

Mr Bennett recalled staggering around and briefly lost consciousness, and came round to find Moss and two others giving him a good kicking.

(proceeding)