A FATHER-to-be who beat up his pregnant girlfriend, telling her he hoped she lost the baby, is behind bars -- even though she didn't want him to go to prison.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Jason Taylor, who has since tried to kill himself by lying on a railway track, carried out a 'sustained drunken attack,' on Julie Preston.

Sending Taylor, who has assaulted her before, to prison for six months, a judge slammed the amount of domestic violence before the courts and said many women had forlorn hopes their men would change.

Judge Raymond Bennett said statistics showed that before a complaint was made to police, a victim had often been subjected to violence up to 30 times, although whether that was the case with Ms Preston, he did not know.

Judge Bennett added many women hoped their partner would change and it was often a forlorn wish, although whether it was for the defendant he could not say.

Taylor, 26 of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates. Adam Lodge, prosecuting, said he grabbed her by the hair, shouted at her and called her names. He began to slap her and she bit his finger.

Taylor then punched the complainant in the face and kicked her about the legs and body as she pleaded with him to stop. The attack continued, with Taylor telling Ms Preston he hoped she would lose the baby, as he had met somebody else. When she said she was in pain, she was slapped in the face and verbally abused.

Mr Lodge said police attended and Ms Preston was found to have suffered grazes, bruises, red marks and a burn to her arm. When the defendant was interviewed, he was crying, said he was sorry, had a problem with drink and that he would be gutted if the complainant lost the child.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Ms Preston did not want him to lose his liberty. The child was due in October and, thankfully, there were no permanent injuries to the complainant or any injuries to the child. Taylor had had depression for five years, had taken a number of overdoses and, since the incident, had tried to take his own life. He had been able to deal with his drug difficulties and had now dealt with his problems with drink. He was now receiving the correct medication and did seem on the road to recovery. Taylor knew he had to be punished, but the court could hold back from a custodial sentence.

Mr Hackett added the defendant knew he had a lot to lose if he were given a non-custodial sentence and he breached the order.