A MAN assaulted two strangers outside their own homes on New Year's Day.

Blackburn magistrates heard the second victim blocked two punches from Callum Heaton with his arms before throwing a punch of his own knocking his assailant to the ground.

Heaton, 24, of Cog Lane, Burnley, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and being drunk and disorderly in Owen Street. He was jailed for 12 weeks after the court heard he was being recalled on prison licence until March.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said the first victim, Stephen Kearney, was at home at about 2pm on New Year's Day when he heard a disturbance outside. He went out and saw Heaton and another man having an altercation.

"The defendant shouted something at Mr Kearney and before he had chance to respond punched him in the nose," said Mr Parker. "His nose burst and bled profusely. He was shocked and stepped back into his house."

John Clegg was carrying some shopping into his house when he was approached by Heaton, who he had seen involved in the argument earlier.

"He calmly asked the defendant what his problem was and he responded by pushing Mr Clegg," said Mr Parker.

"Mr Clegg thought he was going to be struck again and so he punched Heaton, knocking him to the floor. He got up but Mr Clegg took hold of him and put him on the floor again.

"He moved away and told the defendant to move on in an effort to defuse the situation," said Mr Parker. "He left, shouting verbal abuse at Mr Clegg as he did."

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Heaton had been out on New Year's Eve and had drunk more that he normally would.

"He can't understand why he has picked out these two people other than that he was in a drunken state," said Mr Taylor.

"He realises it would have caused a great deal of stress to these two total strangers."