A MAN trashed his girlfriend's house when she didn't come home after a night out, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when she did return the following morning, Kelly Hilton was attacked and punched in the face repeatedly by James Lee Wriggley .

Wriggley, 24, of Brodick Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Hilton and causing £1,400 damage to her property. He was ordered to pay her £800 compensation.

Neil White, prosecuting, said the couple had been out together, but Wriggley returned to her flat with a friend to play computer games, and Miss Hilton stayed out with her friend.

"At some stage he smashed the house up, throwing the television, video recorder, stereo and items of furniture around the room, breaking a window and damaging the gas fire," said Mr White.

Stephen Parker, defending, said his client admitted an assault took place in April, but denied repeatedly punching his then girlfriend.

"He accepts slapping her across the face and that his behaviour was wrong," said Mr Parker.