A 35-year-old man attacked his partner three times but they were still "an item," Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told how David Thorpe told police he had wanted to kill her and was going to kick her like a football -- and although she had been planning to give evidence against him, the couple still lived together.

Thorpe, of Albion Street, Brierfield, may be facing jail, after admitting two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of assault.

He was unconditionally bailed until August 31, for a pre-sentence report and the bench told him they were not ruling out custody.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Thorpe had beat his girlfriend around the head and shoulders, knocked her to the floor and kicked her around the head.

Police were called and found the victim bleeding from the nose and mouth.

In interview, the defendant said he had "kicked off."

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Thorpe had a psychiatric history and so had the aggrieved.

There had also been some drinking and drug abuse on both sides.

The pair still lived together and were an "item."