An East Lancashire man tried to strangle his pregnant partner until she passed out.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard just weeks earlier Benjamin Costello had been given a warning by police for similar behaviour.

Costello, 30, of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm.

He was sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were insufficient.

Nasima Patel, prosecuting, said a complaint of assault had led to the police caution in June.

“His partner was pregnant then and is still pregnant,” said Miss Patel.

“She is actually 23 weeks pregnant and vulnerable.”

Miss Patel said as well as strangling his partner Costello had punched her, and when police arrived she was covered in blood from cuts to her face, knees and wrists.

Gareth Price, mitigating, said it was accepted the case would go to the Crown Court to be sentenced.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence, you can email communitysafety@blackburn.gov.uk for details on the services available, or for a confidential chat with a trained domestic abuse advocate.