A WOMAN who was being throttled by her partner couldn’t believe that his mother just stood and watched the incident.

Blackburn magistrates heard the Christmas Day violence erupted after the couple had been visiting parents and both had been drinking.

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Anthony Scott Flanagan, 28, of Hillside, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to assaulting Chantelle Dewhurst.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation, £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

A restraining order prohibits Flanagan from going within the boundary of Miss Dewhurst’s home in Edenfield.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said after they had visited Miss Dewhurst’s parents he became angry because she had drunk too much to drive.

“He wanted her to drive but his mother eventually gave them a lift home,” said Mrs Geldard.

“When Miss Dewhurst said she was feeling unwell and couldn’t make tea he became angry and said she had ruined the day.”

Miss Dewhurst went to go upstairs to the bathroom but Flanagan grabbed her. and she ended up lying on the bottom step with him standing over her.

“At that point his mum’s partner left the house saying he didn’t want to be part of it,” Mrs Geldard said:

“His mum said it was Miss Dewhurst’s fault because she couldn’t hold her drink.

“The defendant started strangling her and she couldn’t believe that his mum was stood watching but doing nothing.”

The defendant’s mum left the house but he rang and asked her to come back because he didn’t know what he might do to his partner.

Miss Dewhurst told him to leave but he responded by taking her by the neck again.

“She passed out briefly and when she came to he still had his hands around her throat and she passed out again,” said Mrs Geldard.

“She was on the floor and he jumped off her when there was a knock at the door which was the police.”

Flanagan told the probation officer Lynn Nolan he was appalled by what he had done on the day which he put down to drink.

He said he was disgusted with himself for letting his partner down.

“He says this is the first time there has been violence in the relationship and he is hopeful they can be reconciled,” said Mrs Nolan.