A MAN attacked his pregnant girlfriend, headbutting her after a cider and vodka drinking session, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told factory worker Benjamin Barnes, 22, who has assaulted Lesley Edwards before and was on a community order, then punched her repeatedly, knocking her to the floor.

Miss Edwards managed to get to her feet and the defendant pushed the sofa towards her and flipped it in the air at her.

Barnes, of Woodland Avenue, Bacup, admitted assault by beating and resisting police. He was bailed to December 19, for a pre-sentence report.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, said Miss Edwards had started the relationship with Barnes 12 months before and he had previously been violent.

She was 13 weeks pregnant and after he appeared in court for assaulting her, Barnes said he wanted to change and would stop drinking and be a good father. They started living together again but the defendant carried on drinking.

She was watching television on a Sunday afternoon and Barnes was hung over from the night before when the assault occurred.

Gareth Jones, defending, said Barnes offended in a "moment of madness" in drink.