A man attacked his partner with an umbrella when Valentine’s Day jealousy got the better of him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Mark Ward lost his temper because his partner had been talking to another man in the pub where they had been drinking.

Ward, 58, of Lincoln Place, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to assault. He was remanded on bail until March 24 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Glenn Anderton, prosecuting, said police received a report of an assault taking place on a garage forecourt.

Ward was seen with the victim and they were having some kind of verbal altercation. The victim moved away but Ward chased after her and struck her several times with an umbrella.

“She was trying to get into the shop but he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the floor,” said Mr Anderton. “He then picked her up and they both walked away.”

Mr Anderton said Ward was located some hours later.

“He told police he had lost his temper out of jealousy because she had been talking to another man in the pub they had attended that evening,” said Mr Anderton.