A 40-year-old man who assaulted his partner and her son was told he was lucky to be keeping his liberty.

Blackburn magistrates heard Mark James Bell had been drinking strong lager all day when he lashed out at his step-son and then hit his mum on the back of the head.

Bell, of Chapelhouse Road, Nelson, was convicted after trial of two assaults. He was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 18 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months and ordered to pay £280 costs.

District Judge James Prowse said they had been serious assaults committed when Bell was heavily in drink.