A BACUP carpet factory boss is starting a 12-month jail term after sinking his teeth into his partner's face and strangling her until she lost consciousness.

David Goldie, 42, had lost his temper after victim Victoria Pilling called him a weak man.

He pinned her to the bed, held her down by her arms, bit what he thought was her cheek and then squeezed her throat whilst she was on the floor.

Mother-of-two Miss Pilling, the defendant's partner of 12 years, was left covered in blood in the attack following a row after a Halloween party in October, Burnley Crown Court heard.

But she did not want the defendant to go to prison, she wanted him to get help so they could rebuild their lives, the court was told.

Goldie, then of Burnley Road, Bacup, had admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm. The defendant, who had no previous convictions, was said to have seen a counsellor since and was very remorseful.

Sentencing, Judge Pamela Badley said although Miss Pilling had suffered very extensive facial injuries to her lip and chin she did not make a statement to police. The judge said sadly it was very common in domestic violence cases that the victim did not wish the perpetrator to perhaps receive what would be considered to be justice in other circumstances.

But, Judge Badley added: "As far I am concerned and as far as the public is concerned there are wider matters to be considered." She continued:"This was not simply a private quarrell that went too far. This was violence and violence of a particularly nasty type."

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court Miss Pilling had a daughter with Goldie.The pair had been to a Halloween party on October 27 and returned home to Burnley Road, Bacup, in the early hours.

The defendant and victim rowed and after Miss Pilling called Goldie a weak man, he bit her on the lip and strangled her until she lost consciousness. Miss Pilling ran from the property and Goldie ran after her, calling after her to go back in. She didn't and rang the police.

Mr Macro said the victim was left covered in blood and shocked. The defendant was arrested and taken to Burnley police station. He told police both he and Miss Pilling had been drinking and she had slapped him across the face and had called him a weak man. That had churned him up inside. He said he had told her: "I will show you a weak man," and had then launched at her, dragged her to the floor and bit her face.

The prosecutor said Miss Pilling was hoping to get back together with the defendant and was working towards a reconciliation in the future.

Richard Taylor, defending, who had handed the judge character references on Goldie's behalf, said the theme running through them was disbelief at what happened.

The solicitor added Miss Pilling had told him she did not want the defendant to go to prison. She wanted him to get help so they could rebuild their lives.