A MAN punched his girlfriend in the face as she cradled their baby after she refused to spend money on more drink.

But Blackburn magistrates were told the incident was typical of the on-off relationship which had lasted eight years, despite numerous trials and tribulations.

The court heard that Winston Howard O'Reilly had previously been prosecuted for assault, harassment and breach of a restraining order and the victim in every case had been Charlotte Spencer.

Defence solicitor Daniel King said that whatever the outcome of the latest case he was sure they would end up together again.

"At the risk of sounding hackneyed, they can't live with each other but they can't live without each other," said Mr King.

O'Reilly, 34, of Leicester Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault.

He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months with a condition that he attends the alcohol and substance related offending programme and the domestic violence course. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said Miss Spencer lived in Johnston Close with her two children and described O'Reilly as her "on-off boyfriend."

On the night of the incident the couple had drunk a bottle of sherry, two bottles of wine and some bottles of WKD.