A DRUNKEN man who subjected his girlfriend to a vicious assault - and brought shame on his devout Muslim family - has kept his freedom.

A court heard how Khalid Hussain's victim, mother-of-two Marie Lord, thought she was going to die during the onslaught as he repeatedly attacked her and tried to strangle her.

Bank worker Miss Lord, 44, who had pleaded with the defendant to stop, finally escaped and was taken to the police station by people in a passing car, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Hussain, whose father is the head of a local mosque, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. The judge said she was surprised he had not been charged with a more serious offence.

Judge Beverley Lunt told Hussain, who has two previous convictions for robbery, the assault was brutal, and left the victim with severe injuries. She added: "I have no doubt you are causing a great deal of concern to your family. You are causing a great deal of concern to me."

She added, however, an immediate prison sentence would not benefit society, and the defendant was working, living with guilt, and had close family support.

Hussain, 24, of Wesley Street, Church, was given nine months in jail, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and the community domestic violence programme. He must also pay £170 compensation.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court the defendant and victim had been out and went back to his flat. He accused Miss Lord of calling him a liar, became angry and punched her over and over again.

He then locked her in a bedroom and tried to stangle her.

Miss Lord thought she was going to pass out and die, and described Hussain as seeming obsessed and having changed into somebody she did not know, the court was told.

Tim Rigby, defending, said Hussain was fortunate to still have the support of his family.

He said Hussain had had a lot to drink, even though his religion banned alcohol, and that had a distressing impact on his behaviour.

Mr Rigby said Hussain was now rarely allowed out by his family, was attending the mosque, and his father had insisted he talk to the 'imam' about his conduct. The barrister continued: "His father is ashamed to go out, ashamed of attending meetings at the mosque."