A 19 YEAR-OLD Blackburn man's attempts at reconciliation with his girlfriend ended with him thumping her on the ear while he was holding their baby.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the mother was pretending to ring the police to frighten Derek Smith into handing the child back when he hit her.

Smith, of Stansfeld Street, pleaded guilty to assaulting Jemma Dobson. He was given 40 hours community punishment with £50 costs.

Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said the couple had been to a wedding reception and throughout the evening Smith had been asking Miss Dobson to go back, but she kept saying no. Smith started to cause trouble and Miss Dobson took him outside to get a taxi. "At that point he started to walk off with the baby in the pram," said Mr Ainge.

Stephen Barker, defending, said that since the incident in October his client had not had a drink because he realised that was his 'downfall.' He said the couple are reconciled.