A FORKLIFT truck driver pleaded guilty to breaking two of his girlfriend's ribs less than a month after being convicted for a similar attack on her.

Martin Holden, 36, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend of two years, Jackie Tate, just hours after celebrating New Year together.

Hyndburn Magistrates Court heard how Miss Tate had been sleeping when Holden pulled the duvet away from her before pushing her on the floor and putting a sock in her mouth so that she could not scream.

Holden was alleged to have kicked Miss Tate in her left side three times after punching her in the eye causing it to swell so she could not open it.

After begging him to stop, she escaped barefoot to her cousin's house when Holden went to the toilet.

Phillipa White, prosecuting, said: "Miss Tate was terrified. She honestly believed that he could have killed her. She said if he was removed from custody, where he was at the time, he would come back for her."

Holden was serving a 150-day suspended sentence, suspended for two years, after a similar incident in May last year.

Miss Tate's injuries included a black eye, bruised wrists and two broken ribs.

Holden had completed a domestic violence course before and the court heard how bosses were impressed by his progress.

Pam Baldwin defending said: "After the previous incident the couple had decided not to drink because alcohol seemed to fuel their arguments."

Holden was remanded in police custody until sentencing at crown court on a date to be announced.