JEALOUSY got the better of a Blackburn man, who attacked the woman with whom he had had a long-standing relationship.

Anthony Szejner, 31, slapped her across the face, brandished a knife, caused damage and also allegedly threatened to kill her.

He was ordered to do 90 hours community service when he appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court. Szejner, of Old Bank Lane, had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Mr Andrew Alty, prosecuting, said the victim was someone called Caroline Blaylock, the defendant's former girlfriend. She had left him about three weeks earlier.

However, Szejner continued to contact her. After midnight on June 28, he turned up at her front door, demanding to be let in. She said she would telephone the police and he then kicked the door open.

The defendant accepted that he slapped her with the back of his hand. The two fell to the floor and he made as if to headbutt her, catching the woman slightly on the nose. Szejner said he would kill her that night before he left.

He told her they were going upstairs to talk. While upstairs he saw and read a letter from her new boyfriend. The victim was willing to say anything to stop him getting more angry and so told him she wanted him to stay with him.

A friend telephoned while he was there. The caller asked if she wanted the police contacted and she answered 'yes.' The woman's injuries included a cut lip and blooded nose. She needed five days off work.

Mr John Woodward, defending, explained that Szejner had no previous convictions and had acted out of character. He and the girlfriend had been together for 10 years and had children.

He suspected she was having an affair and went to talk to her about it. Mr Woodward said: "Jealousy got the better of him, mixed with anger and feeling terribly let down.

"He has worked very hard to try and put their life on a fair standing. He worked considerable hours, brought home decent money and has felt terribly let down."

The woman had since moved to Bedfordshire and had written a letter to police indicating she did not want the case proceeded with. Szejner was ordered to pay £350 compensation for injury, plus extra for loss of earnings and damage, as well as £200 costs.

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