A ROW which started when a couple were in the pub and continued when they got home resulted in a Darwen woman being gripped by the face and her head banged against the wall.

Hyndburn magistrates heard that Peter Akroyd then went on a wrecking spree in the couple's house while his partner phoned the police and then locked herself in the bathroom.

Akroyd, 49, of Clarence Street, Darwen, was convicted after a trial of assaulting Ann Webster and criminal damage.

He was made subject to community supervision for 18 months and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £350 costs.

Akroyd, who was not represented, said he and Miss Webster were trying to put the incident behind them and get on with their life together.