A DEPRESSED father-of-four attacked his wife while the children were in the house, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Andrew Kennedy Newbigging, 31, repeatedly punched Stacey, his partner of eight-and-a-half years after she was said to have been 'sharp' with one of the children.

Newbigging then took the family car intending to gas himself with a hosepipe, but realised he couldn't do that to his family.

The defendant, then of Stacksteads, but now living with his mother at Avallon Close, Tottington, admitted assault by beating, on December 8. He was given an 18-month conditional discharge and told to pay £250 costs.

Julie Reddish, prosecuting, told the court Newbigging arrived home from work about 7pm and he and his wife rowed. The defendant then repeatedly punched his wife while the children were in the house.

Rachel Adamson, defending, said Newbigging bitterly regretted what happened. He had been suffering from depression.

The defendant loved his three children and one stepchild dearly and when he got in, his wife had been 'rathe sharp' with one of them.

He was depressed about the rocky state of the relationship and an argument broke out. Newbigging threatened to commit suicide, his wife phoned his mother and he became angry.

The defendant hit the victim a number of times and then left, taking the car and intending to carry out his threat. Common sense prevailed and he went back to the house.

The defendant had lost his job after being charged with the offence and held in custody. He had now had psychiatric intervention and had been referred to anger management. Newbigging had been greatly upset at having to appear in court.