A "dangerous" thug who attacked a man with a bottle while on licence from a jail term for stabbing, is back behind bars.

Shamas Ullah, 23, hit Paul Foley over the head with the weapon, outside a nightclub, leaving him with blood gushing from a deep wound.

Ullah had only been released from prison eight months before, after earlier being given a 52-month sentence for knifing a man in the back and inflicting a serious kidney injury, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The defendant had been drinking too much both times he struck and had also been abusing cocaine at the time he attacked his first victim.

Ullah, who has already been recalled on licence and won't be released until next December anyway, had earlier admitted wounding.

The defendant, of Derby Street, Accrington, was given two years' custody, with two years'extended licence and was warned if he breaches his licence when he is freed this time, he will be locked up for four years.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said on June 19, Mr Foley, 40, went out with friends in Accrington and his group of friends was thrown out of a nightclub after an altercation with the defendant.

Once outside, a friend of the victim's hit Ullah and the defendant was then seen to go into an alley, arm himself with a glass bottle and tuck it into his back trouser pocket.

Miss Statham said concerned onlookers told door staff, but Ullah refused to give the bottle up, walked away and found Mr Foley.

He approached the victim, apologised, Mr Foley told him he had no issues with him and they shook hands. The victim went to pat Ullah on the back and as he did do, the defendant produced the bottle and hit Mr Foley over the head.

Ullah ran off and Mr Foley went to hospital, where he had three staples put into his wound.

Miss Statham continued: "Since the incident, Mr Foley has met with the defendant and the defendant's family at the family home and received a full apology from the defendant."

The prosecutor added Ullah had been arrested in the area after the assault and when questioned, made no comment.

The hearing was told Ullah had one previous conviction, for wounding with intent to grievous bodily harm, from July 2008, when he stabbed a man in the back and the blade broke. He had been freed from jail in October, last year.

Alan Wolstenholme, for Ullah, said he was contrite. The defendant, who had been drinking vodka, accepted he would benefit from intervention during licence. He intended not to drink and not to take any illicit drugs.

The barrister added:" He feels a great deal of shame about what he has put his family through."

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told Ullah he was very fortunate Mr Foley was not more seriously hurt.

She continued: "I am quite satisfied you are a dangerous offender and there is a significant risk of serious harm being caused to the public."

Judge Lunt added:" If you breach this licence, you will end up serving four years."