A MAN who assaulted his partner three times has been jailed for 16 months.

Preston Crown Court was told that during the attacks, Sandra Lewis feared for her life.

The attacks involved Michael Burns busting her nose and in another pushing her downstairs.

Burns, 45, of Ripon Street, Blackburn, appeared for sentence after admitting two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one of common assault.

Judge Norman Wright told Burns: “Your behaviour was brutal and sustained”.

In addition to the 16-month jail term, a three-year restraining order was imposed preventing Burns from contacting Ms Lewis.

Miss Mercedeh Jabarri, prosecuting, told the court that Ms Lewis had been in a relationship with Burns which was ‘tempestuous’.

On one occasion Burns pulled her hair and pushed her against a wall whilst he had a screwdriver on him.

“On another occasion, he tried to strangle her and she feared that she would be killed," Miss Jabbari said.

Burns grabbed her and punched her to the floor and stamped on her and tried to strangle her.

She was crying and tried to walk downstairs.

Burns pushed her downstairs and then in the living room caused her to fall over a sofa.

Miss Jabbari said Ms Lewis had said: “I was fighting for my life, trying to get up.”

Mr Daniel Prowse, defending, said Burns had pleaded guilty and thankfully the injuries caused were mostly minor.

The relationship had been an unhealthy one, a dysfunctional relationship between two heavy drinkers.

Alcohol had played a part in all the offences.