A man assaulted a woman after she confronted him as he filmed a gay couple kissing inside a Huddersfield nightclub.

Bethany O’Brien was knocked unconscious after Arash Radmard took off his shirt and attacked her during a night out in the Camel Club.

Radmard, originally from Iran, claimed that his actions were justified.

He said that he thought the sight of the two men was ‘funny’ and became upset when Ms O’Brien tried to touch his phone.

Radmard, of Smithy Lane in Moldgreen, was found guilty after a trial of assault.

District Judge Michael Fanning, sitting at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court, head that the incident happened inside the Byram Arcade club on February 8.

Rory Byrne, prosecuting, explained that the attack was sparked by the fact that Radmard was filming two men kissing.

He said: “The defendant thought it was funny and started to film it.

“That’s when she (Ms O’Brien) remonstrated with him as she felt his actions were inappropriate.”

The court heard that Radmard responded by punching Ms O’Brien to the face, then striking her to the chest and forcing her backwards to the floor.

Mr Bryrne said: “The defendant was seen on CCTV to rip off his T-shirt, approach the complainant and push her throat area.

“(This) sent her backwards, she banged her head on a shelf and briefly lost consciousness.”

Radmard was ejected from the club and arrested.

The 23-year-old, who was not represented, claimed that he’d had permission to film the men.

He told judge Fanning that O’Brien had touched his phone and that he ‘had the right’ to push her.

The business studies student, who has lived in this country for seven years, accepted that he had been drinking heavily.

He said that he was filming the couple as a ‘novelty’ because he had not seen men kissing in public before.

Radmard previously received a police caution after setting off a fire extinguisher on a London railway platform after drinking.

Judge Fanning told him: “You have to understand it’s not acceptable to stare at people and video them.

“It’s not a novelty in this country, it’s an open-minded and fair society.”

He ordered Radmard to complete 200 hours of unpaid work as punishment.

He must also pay £150 compensation to Ms O’Brien as well as £250 costs and £60 victim surcharge.