A DRUNKEN father-of-three smashed his girlfriend's head through a fish tank after downing vodka at a birthday party.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Alison Ewen suffered a gashed forehead and several more cuts, including a neck slash, which left a head-shaped hole in the tank and water gushing out on to the floor.

Her then boyfriend, Paul Murgatroyd, 29, called for an ambulance - and Judge Raymond Bennett, jailing him for 18 months, said that was the only good thing that could be said for him.

Sentencing Murgatroyd, who had two previous convictions for violence, the judge added if there were any more such offences, Murgatroyd would be a candidate for a longer than normal sentence.

Murgatroyd, of Vernon Street, Nelson, admitted unlawful wounding in March.

Nick Kennedy, prosecuting, said Murgatroyd and the victim had had a relationship for six to eight weeks before the assault, although they had known each other longer.

She and the defendant had been to a birthday party, both got progressively drunk and during the celebrations, several people shared two 75cl bottles of vodka. An argument developed and Murgatroyd became abusive, unpleasant and aggressive.

He then left the house, went home and fell asleep. Shortly afterwards, Miss Ewen returned home and decided to leave the defendfant alone.

She went to bed, but for some reason later went downstairs and put the television on.

Mr Kennedy said the next thing she remembered was Murgatroyd shouting at her and pushing her head first into the fish tank.

The defendant then called for an ambulance and Miss Ewen, suffering "nasty injuries" was taken to hospital.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Murgatroyd remembered little or nothing of the offence.

At the time of the offence the defendant was having a very difficult time. His former long-standing partner, and mother of his three children, had died in December.

He said Murgatroyd, who did not normally drink vodka, drank a considerable amount before the assault.

He was guilt ridden and able to see he had made a poor role model for his children.

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