A WOMAN whose husband attacked her had his dog put to sleep.

Burnley magistrates heard that Craig Boothman, 32, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, assaulted his wife, Heidi, after an argument at their home on March 25.

In mitigation Nick Dearing, defending, said that after the assault his wife had had his dog put down "in retaliation and out of spite."

The victim, mother-of-three Mrs Boothman had not wanted to support the prosecution case against her husband and had retracted her statement.

Boothman pleaded guilty to common assault. He was given a 12-month community order with 50 hours unpaid work. The bench made no order for costs or compensation.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, said the defendant and victim had been married three years. They had a row, he called her names and police were called after an altercation. Boothman told police he had lost his temper and thrown a pillow at his wife.

He claimed she kicked him and he kicked her back. He kicked the phone out of her hand when she tried to call police.

Mr Maude said the defendant swore at his wife's son and threw the child's toy car in anger.

He took Mrs Boothman's bank card but denied slapping her. He had 10 previous convictions. The victim said the incident lasted about 10 to 15 minutes but she did not receive any injuries which needed medical treatment.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Boothman accepted he was responsible for the argument degenerating into violence.

Boothman had been away from the family home because of bail conditions. He had either been living in his car or sleeping at friends' houses.

Boothman was taking a degree in construction to become a surveyor and had a part-time job. Financial pressure had put strain on the marriage. He despised domestic violence' and had let himself down.