A FAMILY fall-out over cash for Christmas lights led to a door-to-door salesman pushing his multiple sclerosis-stricken girlfriend.

Burnley Magistrates heard Joanne Carroll, the mother of Ian Fenlon's son, fell backwards against the bottom of the stairs and hurt her hip, which was uncomfortable when she moved.

Fenlon, 32, whose relationship now probably lay in ruins, was conditionally discharged for 12 months and must pay £75 compensation and £55 costs.

The defendant, then of Brownside Road, Worsthorne, admitted assault by beating.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the defendant and complainant had lived together for several years and she described the relationship as volatile. Miss Carroll recounted previous incidents in which, she alleged, she had been assaulted by Fenlon..

Fenlon had been drinking before the offence. Miss Carroll's mother and sister had arrived and there was a row over money for Christmas lights Fenlon had got for Miss Carroll's mother.

The defendant pushed Miss Carroll, was aggressive and angry and she eventually phoned the police.

Mr Robinson said because of Miss Carroll's condition, she should not get stressed and presumably the defendant would know that. He went to the police station several hours after the trouble.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Fenlon was very ashamed about what happened and conceeded the relationship between him and Miss Carroll was probably now at an end. Apart from fall outs from time to time, it had generally been a good relationship.