A MAN who caught his fiancee in bed with another man just hours after the couple argued at their engagement party violently attacked him, a court has heard.

Peter Hodgson's attack upon perceived love rival, Paul Hickey, left him unconscious and suffering from a fractured jaw, eye socket and nose.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday, Hodgson, aged 26, from Newton-le-Willows, also turned his anger on his fiancee, Katie Griffiths.

He twice slapped her, and then kicked the still unconscious Mr Hickey twice in the head.

Michael Stephenson, prosecuting, said that on September 7, last year, Hodgson and Miss Griffiths celebrated their engagement at the Alder Root Golf Club, Alder Root Lane, with about 60 relatives and friends.

At 1am the couple, in drink, rowed as Miss Griffiths suspected him of carrying on with her sister and she set off home with a couple of friends, the court heard.

Having stopped at a bar in Newton-le-Willows, she bumped into Mr Hickey, and old school friend.

The court heard she did not have keys to her house, and Mr Hickey went to help her get in, barging the door, and then staying for a drink.

Hodgson found them on her bed, Ms Griffiths partly dressed, according to Mr Stephenson.

He said: “He (Hodgson) exacted some vengeance and punched Mr Hickey repeatedly.

“Katie Griffiths threw herself in the way to try to prevent further assault and he slapped her a couple of times and then kicked the unconscious Mr Hickey in the head twice.”

Hodgson pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and common assault. He was further remanded on bail to await sentence next month The court heard the couple have since been reconciled.