A DALTON man who punched a stranger 20 times in the head during a pub brawl could face a prison sentence. 

Jamie Noren, of Thornton Park, appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday accused of threatening and abusive behaviour. 

The 26-year-old was on a night out in Ulverston when the fracas occurred at The Globe pub in Queen Street on February 4 this year.

Andy Travis, prosecuting, said: "Mr Noren was involved in a physical altercation with an unknown man who seemingly assaulted him first. 

"Mr Noren then leaves the pub but returns a short time later and pushes him to the floor and begins to hit him with repeated blows to the head."

The court heard how Noren had drunk around seven pints at the time of the incident and had got chatting to two men from Liverpool in the pub. 

One witness said the defendant was clearly intoxicated and allegedly began to speak in a Liverpool accent, much the annoyance of the other man.

The men then went outside where the defendant was pushed onto a bench and punched in the face and threatened with a table lamp.

Noren then walked away before returning and pushing the Liverpool man to the ground and punching him 20 times in the head in quick succession.

Mr Travis said: "Noren admits that the way he has behaved was unacceptable and that he had plenty of opportunity to leave but didn't. 

"He also admits that he has a problem with alcohol."

Noren has 11 previous convictions for 17 offences, three of which were for assault.

Mr Andrew Gibson, defending, said Noren had worked hard to turn his life around but was blinded by alcohol at the time of the incident. 

He said: "He has tried to turn his life around. He has now got a partner and they have moved into a house together and he has got himself full-time work as a plasterer. 

"He feels as though he has turned his life around. 

"However he has said he has a problem with alcohol and that he needs help with that."

Talking about the incident in question, Mr Gibson added: "He left the pub but stupidly went back into the pub where he effectively became the aggressor."

Mr Gibson appealed to the magistrates' bench to give the defendant the support he needs to overcome his alcohol problem.

The bench decided to adjourn the decision until next Thursday (26) to allow time for a pre-sentence report to be compiled. 

Noren has been warned that he could face a custodial sentence for his actions.