A man working in a barber shop was subjected to a prolonged attack by a total stranger.

Blackburn magistrates heard Arafat Akhtar later admitted he had got the wrong man when he stormed into the shop intent on "sorting out" someone who had been looking at his sister-in-law.

The court was told the victim immediately said it wasn't him and tried to explain but he was punched repeatedly to the face.

Akhtar went to leave the shop but then returned and resumed the attack until he was pulled off by other members of his family. Akhtar, 31, of Malham Gardens, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mohammed Iqbal.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £200 compensation to the and £115 victim surcharge. Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mr Iqbal was working in the barber shop on Audley Range and went outside for a cigarette break about 7 pm.

He was talking to a friend in a car and the friend than went into the shop for a haircut. "The defendant arrived a few minutes later demanding to know who owned the blue car," said Miss Allan. "He lunged towards Mr Iqbal, pushed him against the wall and asked if he had been looking at his sister-in-law.

As Mr Iqbal tried to explain it wasn't him the defendant started punching him in the face with a clenched fist." Akhtar went to leave but then resumed the attack, punching Mr Iqbal to the floor.

The victim was left bleeding from his nose, mouth and cheek and suffered a black eye. "This was a sustained attack resulting in serious injuries," said Miss Allan. "The victim doesn't know his assailant and has been attacked in his place of work."

Scott Parker, defending, said his client's sister-in-law had come home very upset after being harassed by some males. "He went to confront the person responsible and it seems he confronted the wrong one," said Mr Parker.

"He accepts he took the law into his own hands and assures me there will be no repeat. He was spoken to the victim on the phone and apologised personally." By Andrew Bellard