A MOTHER of six was attacked by her partner in front of her children and flung down the stairs, a court was told.

Leah Dugdale was left with two black eyes, friction burns, a swollen lip, and suffering concussion, after the beating at the hands of her partner of 12 years Michael Fegan, Burnley Crown Court heard.

But Fegan, 35, said to have got moody and violent because he was in pain due to an arthritic condition, was spared jail.

He was given an eight- month jail term, suspended for two years, with two years supervision. Fegan, of Sunningdale Gardens, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court Fegan was in bed and was banging on the floor. Miss Dugdale went upstairs and Fegan dived out of bed and said: "Do you want to start?"

He then pushed her into their sons' bedroom, where the youngsters were asleep, grabbed her and punched her, hitting her repeatedly. The two boys awoke and were crying and screaming for Fegan to get off their mother, but he then got hold of her neck and squeezed tightly so she couldn't breathe.

Mr Macro said the victim twisted herself free, but Fegan dragged her from the boys' bedroom and threw her down the stairs.

Fegan had obviously been drinking and told police he had had five cans of lager, painkillers and anti-depressants. Gareth Jones, defending, said Fegan and Miss Dugdale were to reconcile.