A man who said to his girlfriend he was "going to kill" her and punched her face repeatedly has been sentenced.

Christopher Read, 43, of Queen Street, Accrington, was out drinking with his girlfriend on the afternoon of Saturday, June 17.

As Read was on bail for another offence, the couple returned to Read's house at around 6.30pm as he had to be home due to his electronic tagging device on his ankle.

They were both intoxicated when Read came out with a needle with a 'yellow' like substance inside, to which he told her "I am going to kill you with this", Burnley Crown Court heard.

He then began to punch her face and left finger bruises on her face and thighs.

Prosecuting, Mark Kellet told the court the victim managed to ring 999 in the middle of the attack as she "feared for her life" after she had recently undergone a spinal operation and thought she would be unable to fight back.

When police came to the address, they also found 13 cannabis plants upstairs that were all of mixed development, with lighting and fans to help facilitate the growth.

When questioned, Read said the cannabis was for personal medical use after he had a leg amputation in 2016.

Read, who has a number of previous convictions for violence against women and domestic violence, was charged with actual bodily harm and possession of cannabis and pleaded guilty to both counts. 

In mitigation, Neil Ronan told the court Read took steroids as he felt emasculated by his amputation, and that his six months in custody since his arrest has made him change for the better.

Mr Ronan said: "He finds himself struggling to get around the prison, and has now had to be provided with a wheelchair due to his inability to care for his stump.

"He needs and wants help for his mental health and has taken steps to get better."

Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Read to 12 months in custody for actual bodily harm and for possession of cannabis.

She said: "This was a very unpleasant incident. You threatened to inject your girlfriend with a syringe and proceeded to assault her, punching her multiple times.

"She feared for her life, and you have been to prison since your amputation before now. But I appreciate you have had a hard time in custody."

Read will be released imminently as he has been in custody for six months since the offence, and will spend the remainder of his sentence on licence.