FAMILY members have paid tribute to a pub landlord who died of a heart attack when he was assaulted by one of his customers.

Colin Moore, landlord of the Bradford Arms in Farnworth, collapsed on October 24 last year after he was hit by 38-year-old Craig Birtwistle, who had been barred from the pub on a number of occasions.

Birtwistle was found guilty of manslaughter at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday and was jailed for seven years.

In a statement, Mr Moore's family said: "Colin was much loved by all his family and friends and had much life ahead of him.

"He was taken from us in October last year in completely unnecessary circumstances. We cannot express how devastated we are that his life has been stolen from him.

"Colin is missed every minute of every day. His killer has been sentenced, and justice has been served.

"We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Colin back or make our loss any easier.

"We need to attempt to move on and hopefully this will now provide closure for our pain over the last few months, however, we will never forget Colin or the many memories he has given us.

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few months."

The court heard how Birtwistle had been barred from the Buckley Lane pub on several occasions.

This included when he dropped his trousers and showed his bottom in the pub as landlady Ms Kendrick was talking to her daughter via Facetime.

Birtwistle also posted a photograph on Facebook of Ms Kendrick dancing with a female friend at the pub and added the comment: “Just been turned down for a threesome with the landlady.”

On the day of Mr Moore's death, Birtwistle's friend and neighbour Michael Renwick was drinking in the pub when he rang his friend.

During the conversation, which was put on Mr Renwick’s phone loudspeaker, Birtwistle asked if he was still barred. Mr Moore agreed to allow him to come back.

The landlord then asked to speak to Birtwistle outside when he arrived.

Birtwistle swung his arm at 57-year-old Mr Moore, who weighed 21 stone, and struck him with his elbow.

Mr Moore then became unwell and after Birtwistle left he collapsed and stopped breathing.

Police and paramedics arrived a short time later and began attempts to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead 25 minutes later at 7.07pm.

Greater Manchester Police’s senior investigating officer Bob Tonge said: “My heart goes out to Colin’s family, they are absolutely heartbroken after losing Colin much too soon.

"Birtwistle was a regular at the pub and would cause problems for the staff and upset other customers.

"Colin was good to Birtwistle and even though he would regularly behave badly he felt that he should always give him another chance.

"Birtwistle will now spend the next seven years behind bars with all the time in the world to think about the fact that his violent behaviour led to the death of an innocent man, a man who had always gone out of his way to be good to him."