A 43-year-old punched a man at a party after he slated his ex.

Wayne Briggs, of Low White Close, Barrow, appeared via videolink from HMP Wormwood Scrubs at Furness Magistrates' Court on Thursday. (19)

Prosecutor Mr Peter Kelly said: "It was November 5, last year and the victim James Quigley was at a house party with the defendant and several other people. Mr Quigley made a joke directed at Mr Briggs about his romantic involvement with a woman and the fact he wasn't with her anymore. He struck him and gave him a black eye as he wasn't happy about what had been said about this lady. He told him not to talk about her in that way."

Briggs admitted assault by beating.

Mr Trystan Roberts, defending, said: "This is a straight forward guilty plea. It was a minor injury offence that was not sustained or repeated. It started as an argument because he had called his ex-partner by derogratory names."

District Judge Gerald Chalk said he gave him full credit for his guilty plea and handed him an 18-month conditional discharge.

He was told to pay £100 in compensation to the victim. No court costs were ordered.