A DRUNKEN man beat up his terrified girlfriend while her three sobbing children were at home, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told how Camillus Walsh, 36, was said to have met up with victim Justine Davies twice a week for sex sessions. Walsh claimed Miss Davies got angry after one meeting and had told him she was going to tell his current partner. Miss Davies suffered injuries to her arm and back, but Walsh denied to police he had attacked her.

Walsh, of Sandhurst Street, Burnley, admitted common assault. He was fined £50 and told to pay £100 compensation.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court Miss Davies and the defendant met up in Nelson town centre on May 30 and decided to give their relationship another go. She said she would give him a chance if he did not hit her again.

They went back to Miss Davies' home by taxi and she wanted to sleep, but the defendant started to "try it on". Walsh then hit her her head, back and arms several times with his fists and Miss Davies told him to get out.

The prosecutor said the defendant repeatedly punched Miss Davies in the body as one of her daughters stood in the doorway of her bedroom and screamed for him to let go. At one point, all three children were standing at the bottom of the stairs and were shaking and crying.

Miss Jabbari said the youngster who had witnessed the assault called the police and Walsh was taken to the station and interviewed. He said he and Miss Davies met for sex twice a week and had a child together.

Rachel Adamson, defending, said Walsh accepted punching Miss Davies once. When they got to her house he had an attack of remorse over what he was doing there and she lashed out.