A MAN who drove off after assaulting his partner during a drunken row was found asleep in his car 18 miles away.

Blackburn magistrates heard problems between Thomas James Walker and his partner started when she checked his phone and found out he was having an affair.

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Walker, 27, of Brothers Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting Kirsty Duxbury and one of driving with excess alcohol. He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months, fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 costs, £50 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £150 criminal court charge. He was also banned from driving for 17 months and made subject to a restraining order for 12 months.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the first assault occurred after Miss Duxbury checked his phone and discovered Walker was having an affair. There was a row during which she slapped him across the face. He responded by punching her and grabbing her by the throat.

“They were trying to work things out but three days later there was another row about the affair and he again grabbed her by the throat,” said Miss Allan.

“She called the police and he drove off.”