A TODDLER ended up bleeding from his head when she was hit by an ashtray thrown during a row, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how drunken and raging Christopher Hattersley, 25, later told police he had not aimed the ashtray at anybody.

The defendant, of Clarence Street, Burnley, had earlier admitted unlawful wounding and had been given a community punishment and rehabilitation order of 60 hours, as well as 12-months supervision.

He admitted breaching the order, imposed last November. The bench fined him £100 and allowed the order to continue.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, told the court the defendant, who had nine previous convictions at the time, had been to a house warming party with his partner and they left at 11pm.

Both had been drinking, Hattersley having had about 12 cans of lager. The defendant fell asleep fully clothed and his partner went to lock the front door and put out the lights.

His partner then tried to wake the defendant up and he lashed out with his arms and struck her across the face. The couple then shouted and swore at each other.

Mr Harrison said an argument developed and Hattersley picked up an ashtray which flew across the room and hit the two-year-old child. The youngster started to cry and blood was coming from a wound in her head.

Police were alerted and the defendant was later arrested. He told officers he had not aimed the ashtray at anybody.

The court was told Hattersley had completed just under 29 hours of the community punishment and still had 31 to do.

Graeme Tindall, defending, said Hattersley's partner had thought he was throwing the ashtray towards her and he had not deliberately intended to harm the child.

As soon as the toddler was hurt, the defendant calmed down and got proper medical help for the youngster and was later arrested at hospital.