A MAN who has beaten up his wife three times in the past is behind bars for 90 days after striking again twice in as many days.

Robert Witter, 40, pushed victim Tracey Witter so she fell down the stairs and then the next morning acted as if nothing had happened. Two days later he punched her in the face, leaving her with a painful and swollen eye, Burnley Magistrates heard.

He later claimed to police she had fallen down the stairs while he had been out and on the second occasion had fallen in the shower.

The defendant, of Dall Street, Burnley, admitted two counts of assault on October 6 and 8.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said the defendant had three previous convictions for assault on the victim and had been to prison.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said: "He wants to complete his sentence, move to Mancester and have no further contact with the complainant. He needs a fresh start and concedes she does too."