AN angry man pinned his partner to the bed, put his hand over her mouth and restricted her breathing after they fell out.

Burnley magistrates heard how Christopher Howard Nutter, 41, told his victim: "You will go first and it will be me next," after an evening watching television and drinking wine led to a row.

Nutter, of Langroyd Road, Colne, admitted assault by beating, last December 17.

He was given a community order with 60 hours' unpaid work and was told to pay £50 compensation and £50 costs.

Andrew Creswell, prosecuting, said the victim suffered redness to her lip and bruises.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Nutter hoped the relationship with the victim might resume.

There had been a number of messages allegedly from her on his mobile phone, saying she wanted to get back together.

The solicitor went on: "It may well be this relationship is dead in the water. He's not sure."