A MAN who faced the threat of custody over a series of brutal assaults on his girlfriend had a surprise when he attended court to be sentenced.

Blackburn magistrates were told that David Evans' former partner had read about his case in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and had come forward to support him.

And Michael Blacklidge, defending, was cast in the role of Cupid when he announced in court that Janice Scott wanted to be reconciled with her attacker.

"There has been no contact between them because of bail conditions but she has come to court today to say that she doesn't want anything untoward to happen to him and she would like them to get back together," said Mr Blacklidge.

"My client feels the same way but he didn't think that would be reciprocated."

Evans, 41, of Argyle Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting Janice Scott causing her actual bodily harm, damaging doors and walls at her home in Grafton Court and two charges of theft of cash from her.

He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for two years, ordered to complete 100 hours community punishment and pay £500 compensation.

Clare Fanning, prosecuting, said Evans had moved in with Miss Scott at the end of summer.

Everything had been fine until November 16 when he became aggressive towards her after reading a text message on her phone from a previous boyfriend.

She said the next morning he refused to let her go to work and questioned her repeatedly about the message. As he interrogated Miss Scott, he repeatedly pushed her around, breaking a finger during one incident. He also ripped doors of their hinges and smashed one through a bedroom wall. He kept saying she wasn't going anywhere unless she explained the messages and her ordeal lasted for about three hours," said Miss Fanning.

"Miss Scott was left with a broken finger and she was black and blue all over."