A MACHINE operator who smashed a "great friend's" jaw has walked free from court - because she had forgiven him and did not want him to go to jail.

Burnley Crown Court had heard how Asoka Rodrigo, 56, had attacked Rosemary Cooper, dragging her by the hair and kicking her in the face after she burst two tyres on his car.

Sri Lankan-born Rodrigo, who had been made subject of a deferred sentence by Judge Ian Webster five months ago, escaped an immediate jail term because Ms Cooper had forgiven him and he had stayed out of trouble.

The defendant, of Farm House Close, Blackburn, was given a three-month jail term suspended for two years by Judge Raymond Bennett, who told him unlawful violence was not allowed.

Rodrigo admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and must pay £500 compensation.

Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, said Ms Cooper had been driving the defendant's car when she hit the kerb and burst two tyres in the early hours. Rodrigo completely lost his temper and shouted and swore at her.

Ms Cooper asked him to stop but Rodrigo hit her, got out of the car and tried to drag her out by her hair.

The woman was hitting and kicking him.

He tried to stop her and struggled with her.

The defendant then went round to the driver's door, eventually managed to pull her half out of the passenger door by her hair and kicked her in the face, striking her on the chin.

Ms Cooper ended up bleeding from the mouth and dazed.

Police were called and the victim was taken to hospital by ambulance.

She was kept in for two days after it was discovered her jaw was broken in two places.

Her jaw was wired up, a plate inserted but she had lost the feeling in her bottom lip.

Mr Grout-Smith said Rodrigo later sent his victim a letter saying he was sorry for what happened.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Rodrigo was now employed as a machine operator and also worked part time as a security officer.

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