A man who got "blind drunk" following a row with his partner ended up assaulting her.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how Damon McSloy fell over at the top of the stairs, and when his partner went to see what was happening he was bleeding from a cut above his eye.

She went to help him and he lashed out, catching her in the face, before he slipped back down the stairs.

McSloy, 35, of West View, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage to an bedroom door on January 15.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months, with 15 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and an Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said McSloy had been very drunk and the incident was made worse because there were three young children in the house in Bacup, "who must have been very scared".

Jackie Partington, prosecuting, said the couple argued earlier in the evening and the victim went to sleep in another bedroom.

During the night she heard crashing and banging and then found the defendant in a drunken state at the top of the stairs.

After he slipped back down the stairs she went to check on the children and then heard him coming back up, swearing angrily.

"She locked herself in the bedroom and when he started kicking the door she called the police," said Miss Partington.

McSloy, who was not represented said he just wanted to apologise for his behaviour.