A BURGLAR confronted by a 76-year-old householder launched an attack on the pensioner with a fire extinguisher, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Carl James got into Paul Foster's home in Load Street, Bewdley, after heavy drinking.

He claimed he went into the run-down property to urinate - but Mr Foster caught him.

James sprayed him with the fire extinguisher and the pensioner was knocked to the floor, said Richard Ace, prosecuting.

A companion of James, who was questioned but not prosecuted, was said to have kicked the pensioner as he lay helpless.

James, 25, of Lancaster Road, Bark Hill, Bewdley, pleaded guilty to burglary and common assault.

He was granted bail for a pre-sentence report and will be dealt with in the New Year.

Mr Ace told the court: "This was a burglary which became more serious because of the confrontation with the victim. It may have been opportunist in drink, but it doesn't matter what the motive was."

He said the defendant insisted that he was not the man who kicked Mr Foster on August 10 this year. The Crown Prosecution Service had insufficient evidence to charge the other man.

Defence counsel Andrew Lockhart said it was a drunken brawl. The fire extinguisher, which was grabbed from Mr Foster's hallway, was found dumped in his garden.

Judge John Cavell described the break-in as "a thoroughly unpleasant incident".