A MAN who subjected his teenage partner to an horrific campaign of abuse has been jailed for 16 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how in a series of three attacks, Roy Butterworth, 23, pushed the terrified 17-year-old to the floor and stamped on her face until she lost consciousness, cut her with a knife and repeatedly hit her.

Butterworth, of Lower Tentre, Burnley, admitted three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge Beverley Lunt told him the violence he had used against the girl was appalling and added: "You caused her nasty injuries and a lot of fear and your only mitigation is your guilty plea."

She added: “It must be a custodial sentence to deter others.”

Nigel Booth, prosecuting, said the parties had been living together in Burnley but the relationship went rapidly downhill and the atmosphere in the property was unpleasant.

In February, they had been out drinking and an argument started over the fact the victim had been talking to a friend in town.

The defendant pushed her into the floor and repeatedly stamped on her face. The victim lost consciousness and was bleeding. She suffered dizziness, her eyes were so swollen they were almost closed and she could not open them.

In March, Butterworth pinned the teenager to the floor, got up off her and started to kick and punch her in the stomach. He armed himself with a small knife and scratched her arms and legs.

The prosecutor said the following evening there was a further row about the boy Butterworth maintained the teenager had been speaking to earlier.

The defendant threw his tea at her, the plate fell on the floor and as she began to clear it up, he slapped her.

He then pushed her face into the bin, threw coffee over her and left, locking the door as he went.

Philip Holden, defending, said Butterworth was at last showing some responsibility and remorse for what he had done and accepted he had a problem.

He had served seven months in custody and was soon to qualify as a painter and decorator.

Mr Holden added: “In the house there was a culture of drinking and taking cannabis, but it by no means excuses what he did.”