A MAN was punched and kicked by a fellow wedding guest during a dispute over taxis collecting people from the Mitton Fold Hotel, in Langho.

Blackburn magistrates heard the incident had especially upset the groom who made his feelings known before leaving on his honeymoon.

Basharat Ditta, defending Ian Hindle, told the court his client had received a rude awakening at 9am on the morning after the reception.

"The bridegroom came to his house and my client was manhandled and sworn at because this man felt his behaviour had marred his wedding day.

"My client eventually went with the groom to apologise to the bride before the couple left for their honeymoon," said Mr Ditta.

Hindle, 28, of Church Walk, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ivan Starkie. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £150 costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Mr Starkie was in the queue for a taxi with various members of his family. Hindle was with a number of his friends and there was a dispute when a taxi arrived.

"That dispute descended into a violent incident," said Mr White. "Mr Starkie was punched and recalls being on his hands and knees looking for his glasses when he was kicked in the stomach."

Mr Ditta said the incident had occurred in February and the delay in finalising the matter arose because his client had been charged with causing actual bodily harm

"He always accepted his guilt on the basis of the case now put forward by the prosecution," said Mr Ditta. "There are two sides to every story but my client accepts that his actions did not constitute reasonable self defence."

Mr Ditta said there had been no trouble at the wedding itself but tempers became frayed outside with some people having booked taxis and others jumping in them as they arrived.

"Initially, the argument did not involve my client," said Mr Ditta. "It was one of his friends who was arguing with Mr Starkie and my client was acting as peacemaker, trying to calm the situation."