A 40-YEAR-OLD man who had previously been jailed for assaulting his teenage girlfriend escaped another custodial sentence after admitting two further assaults on her.

Blackburn magistrates heard after his release from prison Ian Hindle rekindled his relationship with Tanya Derbyshire after promising to mend his ways.

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But the court heard the relationship deteriorated again as he stopped her meeting her friends and isolated her from her family.

Hindle, of Church Walk, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting Miss Derbyshire. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for two years, ordered to complete 200 days rehabilitation activity requirement, pay £200 compensation, £120 costs and £80 victim surcharge.

Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said Miss Derbyshire was 18-years-old and had been in a relationship with the defendant since she was 16 after meeting through Facebook.

"They got into a relationship and she describes him introducing her to cannabis and heroin," said Mrs Yates. At some stage she describes him as kicking her down the stairs and he was jailed for five months for that offence."

Mrs Yates said the latest assaults occurred after they had rekindled their relationship. On December 30 she went to his sister's home and he turned up 30 minutes later high from taking drugs. He accused her of cheating and then punched her before pushing her against a wall.

A week later she went to his home and there were further allegations.

"He dragged her upstairs into his flat where he repeatedly punched and kicked her while she was on the floor," said Mrs Yates. "When she stood up he kneed her and then put a belt around her neck for about five seconds."

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client totally denied introducing Miss Derbyshire to heroin.