A MAN has been cleared of pushing his partner and smashing her hip after a seven-hour session at the pub.

Andrew Currie, 40, was found not guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Maureen Nugent following a two-day trial at Burnley Crown Court.

Currie, of Stonyhurst Close, Padiham, had denied the allegation and was discharged from the dock by Judge Beverley Lunt.

The jury heard Ms Nugent, 47, had to have a total hip replacement after "drunken" Currie was said to have lost his temper and charged at her at her Cambridge Drive, Padiham, home.

Ms Nugent told police she had been petrified, and had alleged Currie dragged her along the floor as she screamed in agony.

She claimed she had been left cold and shaking, and had to call out to Currie five times before he rang for an ambulance.

The court was told both Currie and Ms Nugent had been out drinking at the Shakespeare Arms.

Currie said she was drunk as well, she fell down, and he fell on top of her after bending down to pick her up. He said he thought she was joking about being injured.

Currie's barrister had told the court Ms Nugent told medics and Padiham councillor Jean Cunningham, who was on the same hospital ward, she had fallen. Mark Stuart, defending, claimed Ms Nugent knew the defendant had had two "substantial" cash windfalls and was looking for compensation.

The court heard when Currie was questioned by police, he told them Ms Nugent had told him she could have him done for GBH and get some money for criminal injuries.

He told officers he had expressed regret to Ms Nugent for falling on her, and she had replied: "I will make sure you are sorry."

He claimed she asked him: "Why should I go though all this without getting something out of it?"

Mr Stuart said Currie accepted he fell on top of the alleged victim, and was sorry she had broken her hip.

He told the jury on one occasion when Currie visited Ms Nugent in hospital, she informed him he had better bring his cheque book next time. He suggested to Ms Nugent: "You thought you could get compensation from the defendant because you knew he had had big payouts."