STEVEN Vine threw a pan of boiling gravy over his wife, causing extensive burns to her head and back, Blackburn magistrates heard.

The court was told that the oil rig engineer lost his temper after his wife threw his Sunday tea on the floor.

But his reaction left his wife screaming in agony and she was given intravenous morphine to ease the pain when she was taken to hospital.

Vine, 47, of Durham, pleaded guilty to assaulting Susan Vine causing actual bodily harm. He was remanded on bail until June 7 after the magistrates ordered the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Conditions of bail are that he does not contact his wife or go near the marital home in Lower Darwen.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said the couple had lived together for five and a half years, along with Mrs Vine's two daughters from a previous marriage. Over the previous two years Vine had developed a drink problem which led to him becoming argumentative and some of the arguments had been over the family cat, Mandy.

On the day of the incident, Vine had been drinking. There was an argument over the cat being allowed into the house and he became abusive towards one of Mrs Vine's daughters. As Mrs Vine was dishing out the dinner she threw Vine's plate onto the floor before turning and walking out of the kitchen. "As she walked into the hallway she felt a very hot liquid on the back of her head, going immediately on to her back," said Ms Worsley. "She screamed out in agony and immediately ripped off her sweatshirt and went to the bathroom. Vine did not react and did not go to her assistance

Mrs Vine was treated for scalds to her ear, head and back. Doctors have advised her to keep out of sunlight for 12 months because of the damage to the tissue.

Oliver Goldman, defending, said Vine was desperately sorry about what had happened. He was a man of previous good character who had become depressed following the death of his mother the previous year.

"The marriage became a little rocky and he turned to drink," said Mr Goldman. He said the argument had started because one of the daughters had let the cat into the house, where it had previously damaged furniture.

"His wife threw his dinner on the floor and he responded by recklessly throwing the gravy pan which hit her in the back," said Mr Goldman. "As a result of this incident he has lost his marriage and his good reputation" said Mr Goldman.