A COUPLE making their way home after a night out in Burnley were attacked by a total stranger.

Blackburn magistrates heard burly Viliam Stas ran at Peter Anderson and Emma Robinson as they were walking up some car park steps. He was shouting and throwing punches and dragged Mr Anderson down the steps before punching him in the face.

He then attacked Miss Robinson, punching her in the face and knocking her over, before punching Mr Anderson again.

She tried to pull him off but the incident only ended when other people arrived and Stas ran off.

Stas, 20, of Windsor Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Robinson causing her actual bodily harm and assaulting Mr Anderson and using threatening behaviour. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 30 days rehabilitation activity days and made subject to a curfew between 7pm and 7am for nine months. He was ordered to pay £300 compensation to Ms Robinson and £200 compensation to Mr Anderson.

Paul Sumner, prosecuting, said Mr Anderson suffered bruising and reddening to an eye and a small cut above his eye. Miss Robinson suffered bruising and discomfort to both eyes and cuts and bruises to her right elbow.

In a victim impact statement she said the incident had left her suffering from stress and anxiety when she was out in public.

Mr Anderson said he was completely shocked by the incident and upset that Emma had been involved in it.

Phil Turner, defending, said his client had no history of violent conduct. “He has struggled to explain this somewhat bizarre and, frankly, frightening incident,” said Mr Turner.

He said Stas was suffering withdrawal from benzodiazepines and had taken drink and drugs.

“He was in a heightened emotional state having separated from his partner,” said Mr Turner.