A MINOR argument over the washing-up escalated into a violent domestic incident.

Blackburn magistrates heard that John Batty attacked his partner of six years, pinning her down before punching her in the face and landing a karate chop-type blow to her throat.

The court heard that Janine O'Rourke had managed to get her two sons out of the house before the violence began.

As soon as she escaped, she put them in a taxi and fled.

Batty, 47, of Rockliffe Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault. He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £65 costs.

Bill Maud, prosecuting, said Batty, Miss O'Rourke and the children had been out as a family for tea at the Alexandra in Dukes Brow and went home at about 8 pm.

The argument started and Miss O'Rourke could see that Batty was becoming upset.

"She was worried about this to the extent that she encouraged her two children out of the house," said Mr Maud.

Batty stood over Miss O'Rourke shouting abuse before pinning her down by the arms and squeezing as hard as he could.

"She was desperately trying to stop herself crying because she thought that might make matters worse," he said.

Eventually Miss O'Rourke managed to run from the house, collect her two boys and take a taxi to their father's house.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said there were two sides to every story and Batty did not accept everything put forward by the prosecution.

He said Batty had been forced to give up work after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease which had led to depression and mood swings. Mr Blacklidge said the argument had been two sided and neither had been prepared to stand back and let the matter drop.