A STUDENT assaulted his wife and swore at her young son in a heated row at their home, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told how Craig Boothman, 32, kicked mother-of-three Heidi Boothman after she kicked him and also picked up her son's toy car and threw it down in anger.

Boothman, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, admitted assault by beating.

He was bailed until May 2, for a pre-sentence report.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, said Boothman had been with his wife for just over three years. On March 25, he verbally abuse her and subjected her to violence.

Boothman threw a pillow her, she kicked him in the stomach, he kicked her knee, she kicked him again and he then kicked her again in the same place.

Mr Maude said Mrs Boothman went to ring the police but the defendant kicked the telephone out of her hand. Boothman swore at his wife's son, telling him to go upstairs.

The defendant then took his wife's bank card to annoy her, but had no intention of using it, the court heard.

Mr Maude said Mrs Boothman did not support the prosecution and did not want to give evidence.

The victim would say she was slightly injured. When Boothman was interviewed by police, he accepted there had been a heated row and he had lost his temper.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Boothman had not been in trouble for more than 10 years.

He had no record for violence and was a full-time student at the University of Central Lancashire, studying to be a building surveyor.