A former HGV driver who beat up his partner in Colne town centre left her with five facial injuries.

Burnley magistrates heard Samuel Kean Craig, 44, dragged her to the floor and kicked her.

Victim Michelle Gas took off her tights and shoes in temper and threw them at Craig, who then flung the shoes back at her, hitting her.

Craig, of Skipton Road, Colne, admitted assault on September 25. He was given an 18-month community order with supervision and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £35 costs.

Andrew Creswell, prosecuting, told the court the defendant and Miss Gas had been out to a couple of pubs.

They had a row and Craig assaulted his partner. She managed to get away and went to the nearby police station.

James Young, defending, said Craig pushed his partner on to a bench and both ended up on the floor. Craig had bought the tights and shoes for Miss Gas and she threw them at him in anger.

Craig was ashamed and knew it was not the best way to deal with things. The drink he had had an effect on his behaviour.

Mr Young told the court: "He does not want to go down that road and become a domestic violence offender."