Bricklayer blamed steroids for attack outside pub

Burnley magistrates heard how John Paul Stevenson (29) headbutted, punched and beat Lee Horne in an unprovoked assault outside the Tim Bobbin pub, Burnley.

The victim was rushed to hospital covered in blood, receiving eight stitches in his forehead with medics finding torn ligaments in his leg and ankle.

Bricklayer Stevenson, of Padiham Road, admitted wounding on June 20th. He was committed on bail to the crown court for sentence and will appear there on September 9th.

Prosecutor David Hartley said both men went outside the pub at just after 10 p.m. After the incident, Stevenson, who knew his victim, sent him a text message, saying he was sorry.

The defendant claimed he believed Mr Horne was going to hit him.

Stevenson said he had “gone off the rails”. Being on steroids made him prone to rages and paranoia. The defendant told the victim: “I wish I could go back.” He added he was going to hand himself in to the police and face up to what he had done.

The defendant, who has not been in trouble for more than 11 years, must live and sleep at his home address, not communicate with witnesses and is banned from the Tim Bobbin until after he is sentenced.