A MAN subjected his ex-partner to a "humiliating" assault which started while they were sitting on the sofa with their four-week-old baby between them.

Blackburn magistrates heard an audio recording of the incident which District Judge Alexandra Preston said clearly showed the victim had been in "great distress."

Malachy Huwitt, 25, of Staghills Road, Newchurch, pleaded guilty to assault. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison suspended for two years with 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

District Judge Preston said Huwitt had assaulted his partner four weeks after she had given birth to their child.

"That is a time when a woman is extremely tired and requires care and support," said District Judge Preston.

"Instead of that you assaulted her in a sustained way while your own four-week-old baby was present. You humiliated and belittled her after you did it."

Lee Woodyatt, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a relationship for just over two years. They broke up two weeks before the incident but decided to stay friends. They were discussing names for their child when and she mentioned a certain name he became agitated.

"She reminded him to keep quiet because the baby was asleep and he responded by grabbing her left hand and bending it backwards," said Mr Woodyatt.

"He then dragged her to the floor by her hair. He pinned her on the floor before throwing her back onto the settee."

Mr Woodyatt said the victim said the incident had left her sad and she felt she deserved better.

"I have experienced significant physical and emotional distress," she said. "It is difficult to understand how someone I had loved so much could treat me like this."

Huwitt told the court he wanted to say he was sorry.

"I just want to get on with my life and be a good dad to my son," he added.