A man assaulted his ex-partner after letting himself into her home and demanding money.

Blackburn Magistrates heard Patrick McCarthy pushed the victim after she refused to give him money when he turned up at her home on July 27.

She pushed him back and as she tried to get him out of her property hit him with her handbag.

McCarthy, 35, of Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £48 victim surcharge.

Nicola Mills, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a relationship for six years but the aggrieved said in the last two years McCarthy had become possessive and controlling.

She said previous incidents had been reported to the police and as a result, McCarthy was on police bail with a condition that he did not attend the victim's address.

"Despite that, he turned up at her property and let himself in," said Miss Mills.

"He entered the bedroom where she was sitting with a friend and asked for money. When she said no he pushed her to the chest."

The aggrieved pushed him back and he pushed her again as she tried to get him out of her home.

"At one stage she hit him with her handbag," said Miss Mills.

Waseem Ahmed, by way of mitigation, said his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"He says it was a toxic relationship which is now over," said Mr Ahmed.