WILLIAM Parker, 46, of Lambeth Street, Blackburn, was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation by the town's magistrates after admitting assaulting Janet Dugdale.

The court heard that Parker and Miss Dugdale had been a couple for eight tempestuous years, during which there had been numerous occasions when the police had been called.

Stephen Parker, defending, said on the day of the incident both parties had been drinking and Miss Dugdale had gone to bed at lunchtime because she was already drunk.

He said the incident that followed resulted in Parker being remanded in custody on a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, which he had always denied.

"He has been in custody since December 30 and has now pleaded guilty to the lesser charge almost as soon as it was put," said Mr Parker.

"He doesn't know whether there will be a reconciliation when he leaves custody today after serving the equivalent of a four-and-a-half month sentence."