A SPURNED slaughterhouse worker subjected his ex-girlfriend to a "vicious and sustained" attack after smashing his way into her home in the early hours.

Burnley magistrates heard heartbroken Paul Andrew Davison, 20, punched sobbing and terrified Gemma Hyde several times in the face, grabbed her hair and banged her head on a door.

Miss Hyde, 18, thought she was going to die and was screaming and pleading for the beating to stop.

She had to go to hospital and at first was thought to have suffered a broken nose. Davison later told police he had 'flipped' and didn't know what had come over him.

The defendant, of High Close, Burnley, admitted damage and common assault. He was fined £250 and was told to pay £1,400 compensation and £60 costs.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was upset that he and Miss Hyde split up.

She went out with friends, saw Davison in the town centre and returned to her mother's house with her friend just after midnight.

The girls heard banging and within minutes the defendant was kicking the back door in. Both girls were terrified, Miss Hyde started crying and her friend was hysterical.

The victim and her friend locked themselves in the bathroom but Davison punched a hole in the door, grabbed Miss Hyde's hair and pulled her backwards.

Davison then punched Miss Hyde several times. She could not believe it was happening, thought the attack was not going to stop and believed she was going to die.

Miss Statham said police arrived and Davison ran downstairs. Miss Hyde was taken to hospital for treatment to cuts and scratches.

The prosecutor told the court the defendant had no previous convictions and his behaviour seemed out of character.

David Lawson, defending, said Davison accepted his behaviour was appalling but could not explain what came over him. Miss Hyde went through a frightening and terrifying experience.

Davison was deeply ashamed and bitterly regretted what he did.