A MAN punched two women in the face as they enjoyed a night out, a court was told yesterday.

Maurice Usher, 64, of Tankerville Street, Hartlepool, is accused of causing actual bodily harm to Pamela Temperley and Judith Libby, on March 25, 1999, in the 42nd Street nightclub in the town.

A jury at Teesside Crown Court heard Miss Temperley say that she was punched in the mouth by Mr Usher, after she asked him to stop pushing her friend, Miss Libby, on the dance floor.

In police interviews, the court heard, Mr Usher denied hitting Miss Temperley and said he pushed her away while defending himself, after she hit him as he stood up.

Richard Priest, prosecuting, told the court that after Mr Usher had allegedly struck Miss Temperley, he then hit her friend, Miss Libby, on the cheek, fracturing her cheekbone.

Miss Libby told the court: "He came straight for me. He hit me on the right side of my ear. He then hit me on the left cheek. I fell back on to the floor."

She told the court she now suffers from constant pain, blurred vision, numbness of the face and takes medication because of her injury.

Ian Hudson, for Mr Usher, said Miss Libby had identified the wrong person who caused her injuries.

Mr Usher denies two charges of actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.