A MAN said to have jumped on his ex-girlfriend and repeatedly punched her denied it and told a court: "I just slapped her."

Burnley magistrates heard Dean Ingram, whose mother and sister saw the alleged beating and dragged him off victim Sarah Tyhurst, was said to have grabbed a knife and threatened to kill her.

Ingram claimed the victim had slept with his cousin and was said to have told Miss Tyhurst he would slit her throat and petrol bomb her home if he found out she had.

The defendant, 20, of Green Street, Padiham, admitted assault and was bailed until August 15, to fix a date for a trial over the facts.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, said Miss Tyhurst had split up with the defendant about two weeks before, after a seven-month relationship.

Ingram asked Miss Tyhurst upstairs to talk and was then said to have kicked her in the leg and punched her in the head at least five times, causing her to fall to the floor.

He allegedly continued hitting her and the victim got up and ran into the living room, where Ingram was said to have struck her again, thrown her into the settee and continued the assault.

Mr Maude said Miss Tyhurst was left with bumps to the back of her head and right cheekbone and bruises and soreness.

Ingram had five previous convictions.

The defendant, who was not legally represented, told the court he never punched his former partner, but did slap her. He added: "I don't think that's clever.

"She was supposed to have slept with my cousin and I think she has. Anyway she just tells lies all the time.

"I never once punched her. I just slapped her. That was it."