A man has admitted his part in a terrifying attack in a Slaithwaite pub where a man was slashed with a meat cleaver.

David Buckley suffered head injuries following the incident at the Wharfeside Inn late on February 27.

Denholme Morgan, of Lord Street in Slaithwaite, pleaded guilty two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Kirklees magistrates heard that the 20-year-old was punching Mr Buckley when another man struck him with the meat cleaver.

The court was told that Mr Buckley went to the Carr Lane pub at 7.30pm alone and had arranged to meet a friend.

At 10.20pm he decided to go outside for a cigarette and a blond haired male bumped into him.

Prosecutor Marie Walsh said that the man became irate and remonstrated with him before starting to swing punches at Mr Buckley.

Morgan, 20, became involved and punched Mr Buckley as he tried to defend himself.

Mr Buckley said in a statement: “We started tussling with each other and the blond male started to attack me.

“As a result we fell to the ground and I hit my head on the pavement - whilst on the ground I was still receiving strikes.”

Others at the pub witnessed this and managed to pull the men away from Mr Buckley.

He went into the toilets to check his head, which had started to bleed.

He returned to the bar and 20 minutes later Morgan returned.

Mr Buckley said: “I heard the doors bang open, I turned round and saw this defendant heading straight for me, followed by the blond male.

“This defendant (Morgan) rushed at me, swinging a punch and we ended up grappling with each other.

“I managed to get him in a headlock but saw an arm come at me and it struck me on the head.

“My vision went grey and my head started to bleed heavily. I was told I had been attacked by a meat cleaver.”

Mr Buckley was taken to hospital where he was treated for a two to three inch vertical cut above his temple.

Neil Murphy, mitigating, said that his client accepted throwing punches at Mr Buckley.

But Morgan claimed that he had no idea that the other man had intended to use a weapon.

Mrs Walsh said it was her belief that the attack was a joint enterprise as there was a 20-minute gap between both assaults.

Magistrates committed Morgan’s case to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on June 26.

In the meantime he is banned from contacting a number of witnesses and must not go to the pub involved.